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Jeremy Konaris ‘02
“Going to museums and plays with achieve broadened me culturally. Socially it helped me because most people assume that I just like sports and music, but find it surprising that I appreciate different things.”

Ryan Sims ‘03
“The best thing about achieve is the mentality that everyone will succeed. If you WILL yourself to succeed then you WILL! ”

Rosa Magana ‘06
“achieve has served as a substitute parent and mentor, introducing me to the theater, art, community service, and possible careers. It has expanded my knowledge of the possibilities and options that are out there.”

Rosi Rodriquez ‘06
“achieve has challenged me to reach my full potential of being a bright, altruistic, competent young Mexican American woman.”

Devon Burnett ’05
“Being a part of achieve helped me improve my communication and people skills. I learned the importance of networking, staying in touch, and to always make a great first impression.”

Diana Perez ’05
“The achieve staff really does care about each student — not only while you are in high school, but beyond. They give you the support to insure that the success you had in high school will continue through college.”

Gladys Martinez ‘10
“What I find most helpful about achieve is that I always have someone at my back, pushing me towards the edge of a cliff. So far, I’m almost able to fly off that cliff with the help of achieve.”

Karen Gonzalez ‘07
“The achieve cultural events have helped me to realize that there is a whole world out there to discover beyond the comfort of my home. ”

Alberto Martinez ‘08
“Overall, I think the best thing about being in achieve is becoming a part of a new family and having new brothers and sisters.”

Eia Gardner ‘09
“achieve has instilled in me characteristics that I will need in the future: to speak up for myself, to stand up for what is right, to accept change, and to be bold in every situation that I face. ”

Michael Lech ‘08
“The single most life-changing experience that I have had since being in achieve is knowing that I can succeed if I set my mind to it. ”

Martin Marquez ‘08
“I truly feel that achieve is a family--- my family. I can always talk to my achieve brothers and moderators because I know that they are there for me and they are there to listen to what I have to say.”

Alyssia Smith ‘09
“I like the fact that achieve gives young minorities a chance to succeed in life and beat the odds.”

Teresa Hartwell ‘10
“achieve is like an extra parent. It keeps you on top of your school business and pushes you to your potential.”

Katia Garcia ‘10
“The best thing about being in achieve is that we have someone other than our parents to go to for help. Achieve is like one loving family.”

Mirasol Moncada ‘08
“achieve motivates me to reach my academic potential by providing me with solutions to my problems and having unending faith in me.”

Mia Henderson-Bonilla ‘08
“The most helpful thing about being in achieve is the sense of a community. At the beginning of freshman year, everyone is new, then by senior year everyone has created a bond that makes the achieve community so strong.”

Erika Rosas ‘09
“The best part of being in achieve is that it helps us become aware of our strengths and capabilities—but not only that, we learn how to use our strengths to help ourselves and to help others.”

Corrina Ramos ‘10
“achieve shows me that school is the key to your future and that it is very important to always give 100% in everything that you do.”

Chiandra Lewis ‘08
“I think the one particular thing I have gained from my achieve experience that will help me most in the future is knowing that it feels good to give back.”

Dani Erves ‘07
“Being in achieve has given my future a jumpstart and the tools I need to succeed.”

Johanna Vargas ‘07
“Confidence in myself has been the most valuable gift the achieve experience has given me. The belief in myself that I can accomplish anything I put my mind to will help me do my best in life.”

Valeria Navea ‘08
“achieve has taught me to always try my best and to truly believe in myself. When others see that confidence, they too will believe in you.”

Elizabeth Abundis ‘08
“achieve has made me more confident and taught me the importance of finding a passion. How beautiful and fulfilling it is to do what you love!”

Services and Benefits

 From the moment 8th graders are accepted into achieve, they become a part of a large supportive family network that now includes over thirty alumni. achieve provides a wide range of support services and benefits to students and their families.

Tuition grants
Need-based grants are awarded on a sliding scale. Partner schools provide additional tuition assistance. All families are expected to make some contribution toward tuition.

Supplemental fund
Individual funds are set up at the school to offset the cost of academic/school related expenses including books and uniforms.

Homework help and tutoring
The program monitors student progress and works with the school in providing tutoring when needed. Boys at Riordan attend daily after-school study sessions with achieve staff.

Diagnostic reading assessment and remediation
Incoming ninth graders are administered individualized reading assessments. Students with diagnosed reading deficits receive individualized remediation by our reading specialist.

Educational workshops
Workshops, often featuring guest speakers, are held at the school sites. Topics include careers, financial planning, study skills and public speaking.

Cultural excursions
As an integral part of our program, students attend theater, ballet, opera, symphony, and museum exhibits. Students receive background information and spend time reflecting on their experiences.

College Tours
achieve provides the opportunity to tour East Coast colleges during a student's sophomore/junior year.

Community Service
The value of giving back is reinforced with both large and small group community service projects.

Student mentoring & support
Students meet regularly at each school site in both large and small groups, as well as individual meetings with program staff.

Parent education & support
Regular family meetings are held at each school site. achieve staff make home visits and are available to support and counsel parents as they face the challenges of raising adolescents.

Paid summer internships
Summer internships are an opportunity for students to experience the work world. Students keep a small portion of their stipend while the remainder is placed in a personal savings account for college expenses.

Summer Study
Group study sessions focusing on summer reading and writing. Individualized reading remediation sessions are held at the achieve office during the summer months.

Annual social events
Each year achieve hosts a Christmas Party for current students and alumni.