History
Established in 1990 as a direct result of well-documented, poor conditions of Orleans Parish public schools, Breakthrough New Orleans (BTNOLA) continues to respond to the ongoing need for high-quality supplementary educational services for children. BTNOLA, a non-profit organization, prepares high-potential middle school students with limited resources for rigorous academic experiences in high schools and colleges while inspiring bright high school and college students to become educators and advocates for education.
Our “Students Teaching Students” model at Isidore Newman School is a tuition-free, year-round program that pairs underserved middle school students with enthusiastic young teachers. Upon acceptance, students are required to make a consecutive four-year commitment, which includes an academically-rigorous full-day, six-week summer program and a school-year component. In addition to refining core academic skills, students are encouraged to explore enrichment interests, attend field trips, and engage in college preparatory activities which continue throughout high school through the program’s College Readiness Initiative.
Breakthrough Collaborative was founded as Summerbridge in 1978 at University High School in San Francisco. In 1990, Isidore Newman School became the second school in the United States to host a Summerbridge program. In 2009, the organization was renamed Breakthrough New Orleans. Today Breakthrough New Orleans is one of 24 Breakthrough Collaborative programs throughout the United States and in Hong Kong. The Breakthrough Collaborative is consistently featured as a Top Ten Internship by the Princeton Review. The organization aims for 100% of its students and alumni to enter and succeed in college-prep high schools and college, and for 76% of its Summer teaching fellows to express interest in pursuing careers in education. Annually the organization serves more than 10,000 middle school students and trains over 1,100 college and high school students to be effective teachers.
Mission
The mission of Breakthrough New Orleans is to prepare high-potential middle school students with limited resources for academically rigorous educational experiences in high school and college, while inspiring and training high school and college students to enter the field of education and become advocates for educational equity.
Our Model
Breakthrough New Orleans (BTNOLA) is a tuition-free, academic program that serves its participants by providing rigorous programming throughout the year.
As stated in the program mission, Breakthrough New Orleans serves two different populations – public middle school students living in the greater New Orleans area as well as high school and college students. Each can anticipate a rigorous but positive life-changing experience by participating in the program.
In general, BTNOLA:
- Provides rigorous programming for six weeks during the summer and throughout the school year to enrich the skill levels of 6th, 7th, 8th, and 9th grade public school students.
- Works with families to determine the best middle and high school placement.
- Supports alumni students in 9th-12th grades through college and career counseling, SAT preparation courses, and placement in summer internships.
- Trains and supports high school and college students as classroom teachers, mentors and event planners.
- Offers leadership and professional development opportunities for current full-time educators.
- Promotes educational advocacy.