Heights’ Graduation Celebration is Friday, June 2nd.

A strong foundation
for future success

OUR PROGRAMS: MIDDLE SCHOOL

The path to college and careers begins here. Our comprehensive, sequenced programs and services start early in the educational journey, preparing students to successfully navigate high school. The result: established pathways to success, empowering middle schoolers and their families to enter high school with confidence.

Middle school programs

Gain skills and experiences to strengthen academic performance, plus guidance navigating high school placement and selection. Our staff are embedded at four School District of Philadelphia schools and are available to all Philadelphia middle school students in the summer.

Heights' Steppingstone Academy student
Steppingstone Academy

Steppingstone Academy

Beginning with recruitment in the spring of students’ fourth-grade years, the Steppingstone Academy places high-achieving participants in independent and magnet schools. Join our summer and weekend academic programs, internships, tutoring, and advising.

Our preparation and placement for fifth and sixth graders, this 14-month program includes weekend academic sessions during fifth grade, bookended by two six-week summer sessions.

Tap into academic enrichment and advising for students in grades six to eight.

Summer programs

Tap into rigorous summer study collaborations with partner colleges. Students explore a variety of topics including writing, environmental science, and career exploration.

Our middle school partners

Mary McLeod Bethune School

Paul L. Dunbar School

Tanner G. Duckrey School

Morton R. McMichael School

Our vision for middle school students

100%

of cohorted students will persist to the next grade level

100%

of cohorted students will apply to a criteria-based high school

5%

increase of Black and Latinx students at most selective district high schools by 2026

See more of our program pipeline

High school

Receive college and career preparation embedded in Philadelphia high schools, including enrichment, summer programs, and 1:1 advising.

College

Gain a college advisor and connections to greater resources — including career opportunities, stipends, and scholarships — at over 70 distinct institutions across the country.

Careers

Launch a life-sustaining career with a solid path to employment in a variety of industries, plus internships, mentoring, and other job opportunities.

Let’s bring a brighter future to life

Join Heights and see how far Philadelphia students can go.