Breakthrough Twin Cities has three program locations: Mounds Park Academy on the east side of Saint Paul, Saint Paul Central High School, and Chaska High School in Eastern Carver County. Students do NOT need to attend one of the host schools to apply!

If you are accepted to Breakthrough Twin Cities as a student, you are expected to participate actively in the program starting the summer before seventh grade through the end of your senior year in high school.

Breakthrough Twin Cities programming runs for six consecutive weeks (late June to early August), Monday through Friday, from approximately 9:00AM – 3:00PM.

We have leniency with attendance knowing summers can be busy for our students and families.
However, the expectation is that you participate in the majority of summer programming and school year programming. These both are an important aspect of being in Breakthrough! Of course, if there is an emergency and illness please let us know beforehand.

Breakthrough Twin Cities places students primarily by which site location is closer to their home address. Breakthrough staff will assign and notify participants of their particular program location when students are accepted into the program. Students will remain with the same Breakthrough site for the entire six-year program. Connection to your BTC site and community is one of the most important parts of the program, and students will only be allowed to request a location change for unique circumstances.

If students live in Saint Paul, buses will pick up and drop off students at points near their homes. If students do not live in Saint Paul, families are responsible for arranging transportation to and from the program.

The same applies to students in Eastern Carver County. If your home is located within the district, buses will transport you to and from programming at Chaska High School. Students living outside of ECC are responsible for arranging their own transportation.

Yes. During the summer, we will provide breakfast, lunch, and a snack to all students. You may bring lunch if you desire.  

Breakthrough Twin Cities is an academic enrichment program, which means that it only takes place during the summer and on Saturdays during the school year, so it all takes place outside of regular school hours. Students will attend Breakthrough programming in addition to their regular school. Breakthrough is not an alternative to year-round school. 

It is totally optional to apply to be in our program if desired. You must apply and be accepted in order to become a Breakthrough student. 

Nothing. Breakthrough Twin Cities is tuition-free for students. Due to support from numerous corporations, foundations, and individual donors, our students pay nothing to participate. We expect families and students to “pay” for the program through their commitment.

Student applications are typically due in late December (early action deadline) and early March (regular deadline) of each year. Breakthrough staff takes approximately one month to review all applications after each deadline, and then we will notify students and families of their acceptance. Families will need to formally accept to be enrolled in our program via phone call or email. 

Parental support is very important for academic success and that holds true at Breakthrough Twin Cities. We will ask for your support in ensuring that your child attends the program every day and does his or her homework consistently. There are also a couple of events and an individual meeting that parents must attend annually.