Breakthrough Pittsburgh


Breakthrough_1

Summerbridge Pittsburgh is now Breakthrough Pittsburgh!

After 24 years as Summerbridge Pittsburgh, our program changed its name to Breakthrough Pittsburgh. This change reflects the program’s reaffiliation with Breakthrough National, a collaborative organization of 26 similar programs around the country. It also, and more importantly, reflects Summerbridge’s evolution over the years from a summer-program to a year-round one.

In 1994, Summerbridge Pittsburgh began as a two-year program, but we have changed significantly since then. Currently, we provide students both summer and school year programming for six years, beginning in the summer before seventh grade and continuing through high school graduation, supporting the academic, social, and emotional growth of our students. Our new name better reflects all the innovations we have undertaken, including providing teacher training, instructional coaching, professional development, academic tutoring, and college counseling.

Breakthrough Pittsburgh aims to provide highly motivated, under-resourced students access to quality educational opportunities. During their six-year tenure with the program, students are inculcated with resources to ensure that they fulfill their goals of competitive college matriculation. Our program also inspires the next generation of educators by mentoring bright, enthusiastic high school and college students through one of the most hands-on pre-professional teaching fellowships available.

Each year, Breakthrough Pittsburgh welcomes between 30 to 35 new Grade 7 students from middle schools all across the Pittsburgh region – from Penn Hills to the North Side, Mt. Oliver to Coraopolis. Likewise, each year Breakthrough Pittsburgh brings together cohorts of teaching fellows, tutors, and volunteers to help support these students. Approximately 50 college students and volunteers proudly serve our students in their efforts to become their best academic selves and achieve their dreams of attending college.

The Breakthrough Pittsburgh school-year program continued to make a positive impact on our students last year. Our one-on-one tutoring program at the University of Pittsburgh (Pitt) continued to expand, with over 50 Pitt, Duquesne University, and Sewickley Academy students serving as tutors. Our Super Saturday program is hosted on the University of Pittsburgh’s and Carnegie Mellon University’s campuses. Our literacy initiative, #WNR (Why Not Read?) continued throughout the school year, as middle school students utilized the library collection and exchanged books on Super Saturdays. College-bound programming highlights included SAT/ACT test prep course, FAFSA completion event, essay revision and application assistance with college-bound mentors, and College 101 workshops for families. ninety-eight percent of the Breakthrough Pittsburgh Class of 2018 are attending college this fall at schools like Brown University, University of Rochester, Indiana University of Pennsylvania, and Howard University.

In our Summer Program, we continued to make positive changes in both the teacher training and student academic realms. The Summer Program highlights included our annual High School Options and Career Fairs, Meet-the-Teacher Night, and College Visit Day at Penn State University.

Now in its 26th year, Breakthrough Pittsburgh is dedicated to increasing opportunity for our students through college access programming, combating summer learning loss through a rigorous summer educational experience, and improving our local schools through intensive teacher training. These efforts are only made possible through the shared vision and generous support of our philanthropic partners.

Gifts