Components of College Bound include:

Basketball and Leadership Development - basketball is the “hook” used to engage youth in education; at New Heights, the basketball court is the classroom where leadership and life skills are developed; teams travel regionally and nationally, exposing participants to new people, places and experiences.

Academic Resource Center (ARC) – The ARC, an on-site educational facility that includes a study hall and classroom, computer lab, and educational resource library, offers student-athletes fundamental instruction in academic subjects, study skills, individualized tutoring and homework help delivered by a combination of paid and volunteer staff. Student-athletes attend programming in the ARC each day of basketball practice (Monday-Saturday) as well as for other scheduled educational and preparatory activities.

High School Assist – High School Assist provides each middle school student-athlete and their family with the resources needed to gain acceptance, matriculate and succeed in a college preparatory high school. HSA offers academic instruction, life skills development, exposure and test preparation for 5th- 8th graders. In addition, HSA provides school visits, financial aid workshops, and individualized counseling to support students and families through the high school application and selection process.

College Assist – College Assist ensures that students leverage their successful high school experience into college acceptance and helps them access the financial support necessary for them to attend the school of their choice. Our “College Bound Gameplan” encourages student-athletes to set periodic goals and achieve milestones that are specific to their long term objectives. Through our Program and Education Coordinators, these high school student-athletes receive the individual academic and counseling support necessary to achieve these goals, succeed in high school and prepare for college. College Assist support includes subject-specific tutoring, SAT and other test preparation, high school counseling, college workshops and visits and NCAA eligibility and recruiting guidance (if applicable).

Summer Academy - The Summer Academy provides academic, athletic and leadership development through a full-day five week program for our student-athletes, grades 5-9. The academic programming of the Summer Academy focuses on language arts, communications and math skill development through activities such as essay writing and quantitative problem solving. The academic and basketball curriculum are also designed to build students’ social skills and character and to promote the New Heights values of Teamwork Respect, Excellence, and Effort. A series of elective, trips and guest speakers also present participants with a variety of new experiences and perspectives to help them stay on track in their overall College Bound process.

Saturday Skills - New Heights also offers our Saturday Skills program which serves an additional 200 young people at three school-based locations. Saturday Skills is our community-based initiative which is open to all New York City youth. The weekend clinic provides a creative combination of basketball and life skills instruction for elementary and middle school students teaching them the fundamentals of the sport while also allowing them to develop life skills in a supportive and fun environment. The Saturday Skills program is not only a means for New Heights to spread our fundamental approach and positive coaching over a larger population but is also a key outreach and recruitment tool for our College Bound program. Saturday Skills is an important and free resource for underserved New York City neighborhoods, where organized recreation and physical education have all but disappeared from public schools.

College Bound aims to meet four goals for every participant:

• Shape identities as student-athletes and leaders, focusing on developing 1) an awareness of the balance between academic and athletic pursuits and 2) an awareness of our student-athletes’ leadership capacities and their connections to their communities

• Build academic, athletic and leadership skills, focusing on the development of 1) study skills and core literacy and math skills 2) speed, quickness, agility and hand-eye coordination and 3) life and leadership skills - communication, team building, trust, respect and work ethic

• Develop healthy habits, focusing on empowering our student-athletes to 1) live physically active lifestyles and 2) avoid negative and risky behaviors

• Ensure every New Heights participant receives a high quality education, focusing on 1) advocacy 2) school placement and 3) support for our student-athletes through transitions to high school and college
  
  

Population Served
New Heights targets young athletes from failing schools and economically disadvantaged backgrounds, focusing primarily on youth from New York City. Current demographic data:

• Over 200 youth currently enrolled, grades 5-12
• 70% of participants will be first generation college graduates
• 75% of participants live in Washington Heights, Harlem, Bronx, or Central Brooklyn
• 60% in High School and 40% in grades 5 through 8
• 70% male and 30% female
• 71% African-American
• 18% Latino
• 11% White/Other