What We Do
As a sports-based youth development organization, New Heights uses intentionality to combine basketball programming with services that support college and career readiness, social emotional learning, and physical and mental health. Through this lens, we design and deliver a variety of after-school, weekend and summer programs that engage upwards of 1,500 young people annually.
The majority of our program participants come from under-resourced communities throughout New York City. Over 85 percent of our current participants identify as African-American, Hispanic/Latino(a) or multi-racial, and many will be the first in their families to graduate from college.
COllege Bound
Our signature program, College Bound, uses basketball to engage young people in a comprehensive network of academic, social emotional learning and college preparatory services. In addition to competing locally, regionally, and in some cases, nationally, all College Bound student-athletes benefit from a range of academic enrichment activities. Each of the following age-targeted initiatives work together as a continuum of services to help student-athletes stay on track for grade promotion, and make it to and through high school and college.
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High School Assist supports 4th-8th graders as they prepare for the transition from middle to high school. Services include after-school classroom sessions focused on academic skills development and social emotional learning, one-on-one and small group tutoring, test prep, high school application guidance, high school visits, financial aid advisement and individualized counseling.
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College Assist provides our high school student-athletes with the individual support necessary to gain admission to competitive colleges and universities, as well as group workshops that equip them with the hard and soft skills necessary to thrive in college and beyond. Services include SAT/ACT prep, one-on-one and small group tutoring for students who are struggling in specific subjects, financial aid and college application support, campus visits, life skills development and NCAA recruiting and eligibility guidance.
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Career Assist provides ongoing support to College Bound alumni who matriculate to college in order to ensure that they graduate on time and are career ready. Services include college course and major selection, resume building, interview skills workshops, professional networking opportunities, internship assistance and career exposure.
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Summer Academy is a 5-week day camp that combines academic enrichment with basketball skill development for our middle school youth. In 2022, our curriculum grew to include financial literacy, technology and coding, health and wellness, and sports and social justice.
The Foundation
Beginning in 2021, New Heights introduced The Foundation, a series of 7-week basketball clinics targeted to children ages 7-14 who live in Brooklyn’s Community District 9 (but open to youth throughout New York City). In addition to building introductory basketball skills on the court, these weekend clinics provide participants with classroom sessions focused on social emotional learning and life skills development.