Breakthrough New Orleans

The mission of Breakthrough New Orleans (formerly Summerbridge 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.

BTNOLA offers dedicated students an opportunity to break away from their under-resourced middle schools and enter challenging high schools with a college track. Its tuition-free, year-round program consisting of After School and Summer Programming continues to be one of the only long-term supplementary educational options for under-served Orleans Parish students. Students start the summer before their sixth grade year and complete the program upon high school graduation and enrollment in college. BTNOLA students are selected based on their level of current educational opportunity, economic background, motivation and potential to succeed at BTNOLA. They exhibit at least two of the following risk factors: live at or below the poverty level; come from single-parent family households; qualify for reduced or free lunch; and/or will be the first in their family to attend college.

The intensive six-week Summer Academy is the hallmark of the BTNOLA experience. Middle school students receive enrichment in the fundamental areas of English/Language Arts, writing, mathematics, and science. They also focus on the program's five core values: scholarship, integrity, resolve, advocacy, and

Testimonials

"I've watched Breakthrough serve as a mirror and window for so many people over the years. It has shown me what happens when children and young adults are given the opportunity to see themselves for exactly who they are and could be, without limitations. They realize the fullness of the power they hold within. They learn that they can truly be anything they want to be and how vital it is to extend the same opportunity to others. It has been a great pleasure watching the next generation of children grow through this wonderful program." -Ashley Adams, Executive Director

"It was the first day of school in the fall of 1989 that I "ran into" Jay Altman - yes, I literally bumped into the side of