The Summer Program

Before you arrive
Virtual prework
Asynchronous, approx. 15 hours
Mid-June
Orientation & training
Two weeks of training before students arrive
Late June – early August
Summer programming
Six weeks teaching your core course and elective
Early August
Evaluation & wrap-up
One week of reflection, feedback, and closing

Four Phases of Summer

Beyond the school day

Two evening events with students and families: Back to Breakthrough and Family Conferences
One Saturday Family Celebration at the end of the summer
A 4–5 day off-site Leadership Retreat (9th grade Teaching Fellows only)

Daily Schedule of Teaching Fellow

Early morning
Prep and planning
Days start early with lesson prep before students arrive.
Morning
Core course sections
Two sections of your six-week core course.
Midday
All School Meeting & College
Community time with your college group.
Afternoon
Elective, Tutorial, YO Time
Teaching, homework support, and activities.
Evening
Grading and prep
The day ends after you've responded to student work.

Our Program Culture

All School Meeting

A daily gathering where students take the stage to share learning and talents with faculty performing first to make it feel safe.

Friday Events

Team competitions with your College group such as College Bowls and Predator/Prey.

College

A homeroom-style group of students and teachers that builds community and does college-life activities together.

Field Trips

A few trips each summer, including a mock legislative session at the Minnesota State Capitol.

Tutorial

Grade-level homework time with teachers in the room, a couple of times a week.

YO Time

Your Option Time closes each day: soccer, art, hoops, dance, mini-competitions, and more.

Characteristics of our Students

1
They demonstrate need
Every student meets at least two need criteria — income, first-generation college, home language, single-parent household, or under-represented in college.
2
They represent diversity
94% of our students self-identify as a person of color.
3
They attend Twin Cities metro schools
Public, charter, and private schools across the metro area.
4
They have committed families
Families commit to annual events and full attendance in exchange for a tuition-free program.

THE SUMMER PROGRAM