CHINATOWN — Hundreds of seventh- and eighth-graders are coming to the neighborhood to show off what they’ve learned as students with High Jump, a Chicago-based academic enrichment program for kids from financially strapped families.
High Jump, a two-year, tuition-free program for ambitious middle schoolers enrolled at Chicago Public Schools across the city, will hold its annual Academic Expo & Art Show Saturday at Local 339’s union hall, 2260 S. Grove St.
From 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. about 300 students, known as “High Jumpers,” will give presentations in front of family and friends about what they’ve learned during the program’s summer courses.
High Jump students will talk about the frogs they’ve dissected, perform chemistry experiments, act out a piece of theater or show off art pieces they’ve created.
“These are kids who are proud of what they learned,” said Lee Hart, High Jump’s executive director.
High Jump has three campuses in Chicago and offers six weeks of intensive daily classes during summer months and bimonthly courses on Saturdays during the school year.
Students interested in joining High Jump’s program must fill out an application and submit transcripts, test scores, their family’s financial information — the average income of a High Jumper’s family is $33,000 — and letters of recommendation.
Last year, 680 families applied for 180 open spots in the program.
For more information about High Jump and its requirements, visit HighJumpChicago.org.
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