Achievement First

Mission In the Schools Our Approach Curriculum and Instruction Open Source Greenfield Residency Program Navigator Charter Network Accelerator AF Teacher Career Pathway Core Values

We set high expectations so that our students can exceed them. We are preparing our students for success in college, career and life. We are also a fully “open source” organization. We want to help all of us go further, faster toward the goal of providing an excellent education for every child, everywhere.

Resident Profiles

All Achievement First students know they can and will go to college.

Network Overview Connecticut Schools New York Schools Rhode Island Schools High Schools Alumni Program

Every day, students in our schools across Connecticut, Brooklyn and Rhode Island are solving for x and shattering stereotypes, winning debate tournaments and football games and preparing for their futures as college graduates.

Amistad Academy Elementary School Amistad Academy Middle School Achievement First Amistad High School Achievement First Bridgeport Academy Elementary School Achievement First Bridgeport Academy Middle School Elm City College Preparatory Elementary School Elm City College Preparatory Middle School Achievement First Hartford Academy Elementary School Achievement First Hartford Academy Middle School Achievement First Hartford High School Achievement First Summit Middle School

Achievement First Iluminar Mayoral Academy Elementary Achievement First Providence Mayoral Academy Elementary Achievement First Providence Mayoral Academy Middle

Achievement First Alumni Support College Placement

Achievement First schools emphasize the REACH values—Respect, Enthusiasm, Achievement, Citizenship and Hard Work.

Across Achievement First In Connecticut In New York In Rhode Island

We refuse to accept a world where social injustices stand as barriers to our students’ success. Our students can not only achieve on par with their affluent peers across the country, they can achieve alongside the highest-performing students in the world. Our students will redefine what excellence looks like.

Every year, our seniors gain acceptance to colleges and universities across the country.

History Diversity Board Leadership Team Profiles Achievement First News Achievement First Videos Contact Us Privacy Policy The Achievement First Blog Our Story

Every day, we work hard to fulfill our mission: to deliver on the promise of equal educational opportunity for all of America's children. We believe that all children, regardless of race or economic status, can succeed if they have access to a great education.

Community Groups Partnerships Resources Steering Committee

Teachers & Leaders Students Parents Alumni Network Support Operations Diversity & Inclusiveness

Case Studies Newsletters News Highlights Press Releases Annual Reports

We believe a great education can level the playing field, break the cycle of poverty and create a brighter future for all of us.

Overview Overview—Español Frequently Asked Questions Connecticut Student Enrollment New York Student Enrollment Rhode Island Student Enrollment

Our students are all admitted by blind lottery and we serve all students, including English Language Learners and students with disabilities. We have no admissions tests or fees.

Students, teachers and parents work as a team to achieve success.

Overview Teachers Teachers-in-Residence School Leaders School Operations Network Support College Counseling

Teaching and leading at Achievement First means being a part of an awesomely powerful team of tireless educators and specialists, incredible families, and students who are working every day toward improving themselves and our world.

We develop, recognize and reward teachers through constant professional development and the Teacher Career Pathway.

Donations Make a Donation Visit a School Be an Advocate

Every day, we’re working toward social justice and better educational opportunities not just for our students, but for all students.Without you—our partners, friends, board members, donors, community leaders and neighbors—our work would not be possible.

We host hundreds of visitors—including community members, elected officials and educators—in our schools each year.

Community Groups

In the fall of 2012, AF launched its first community groups in New York and Connecticut. The overall goal of the First Generation College and People of Color community groups is to support our staff members of color and those who are the first in their families to attend college by creating a space to facilitate conversations and touch points addressing pressing issues in their work lives, and to provide valuable affirmation, empowerment and networking opportunities. The community groups are open to staff of any background; however, events are tailored for staff members of color and/or first generation to attend college.

Please note that staff members of color include those who identify as Asian/Asian American, South Asian/South Asian American, Black/African American, First Nation/Indigenous/Native American, Latino/Hispanic American or Multiracial/Multiracial American. As we develop this idea, we've explicitly defined staff members of color broadly and will definitely provide opportunities for further connection within each racial identity.

In the summer of 2013, AF launched its first community groups for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender & Questioning staff members. Kick-off events were held in Connecticut and New York. This is a part of our Diversity & Inclusiveness priority and ongoing work to create spaces for conversations and touch points addressing pressing issues in our staff members’ work lives, and provide valuable affirmation, empowerment and networking opportunities. We believe these groups will ultimately lead to a stronger AF, where everyone has a sense of belonging to our collective community. These community groups are open to staff of any background; however, events will be tailored for LGBTQ staff.

We're starting with these six community groups, but we may expand to other groups at a later date.

Select Community Group Events

Back to School Barbeque in late August. Connect and learn more about what we’re doing to prepare our scholars to climb the mountain to and through college. Learn firsthand about volunteering with our schools to participate in our college work.

“Speed Dating” Mock Interviews at AF Brooklyn High School the week of October 28th. Are you interested in participating in mock interviews with our scholars to help them prepare for college admissions and other formal interviews? Volunteers are needed for several time blocks during the week of Oct. 28 to help our scholars develop interview skills. Volunteers will commit to a time block below to meet at AF Brooklyn High School to participate in five- to 10-minute interviews followed by five-minute debriefs with the scholars.

AF Brooklyn High School Career Day in early November. AF staff members will not volunteer at the event since we all work in the same sector and our scholars already have access to us. Instead, please consider your network and invite four to five people who would be great with our scholars and who have careers that our scholars might find exciting.

College Readiness Discussion on Monday, November 4th, from 6:30-8:00 p.m. at AF Brooklyn High School. Many of our scholars will be the first in their families to graduate from college. While the promise of “being the first” is very exciting, the experience of being the first in a family to attend college presents a set of challenges. The purpose of this discussion is to help foster the understanding of the college preparation process for our scholars. Participants will leave with a deeper knowledge of how our network prepares students and families to climb the mountain to AND through college. Participants will also have an opportunity to explore high-level trends in our alumni data. Members of Team College will lead this conversation so we can learn more about the robust supports we provide for our scholars. We will also share ways that you can volunteer directly with our scholars as they navigate their paths to college. All are welcome and encouraged to attend – please invite anyone who may be interested. Dinner will be provided by the First Generation College Graduate Community Group.

Fireside Chat with Chief External Officer Chastity Lord hosted by The First Generation Community Group on Wednesday, February 26th from 6:00-7:30 p.m. In the spirit of fireside chats, this will be an intimate and candid conversation with an executive leader of our organization. As Chief External Officer, Chastity leads the teams directly involved with external relations, marketing and communications, development, partnerships, and expansions at AF. After networking with team and family members and enjoying light dinner fare, participants will hear Chastity share her leadership journey as a first-generation college graduate and learn how her experiences shaped her involvement in this movement. Then we will hear more about the First Generation Initiative, the program that Chastity leads in a number of our schools. Together, we will have a conversation about how we can continue to serve our first-generation scholars. All are warmly welcome to attend.

NY First Generation College Graduate Community Group Meet Up on Tuesday, April 2nd at Achievement First Endeavor Middle School at 6:30 p.m. in the Cafeteria. This is an amazing opportunity to connect with other AF staffers who are first-generation college graduates and to get a glimpse of what other events are in store for the coming months! There will be dinner and casual activities.

CT Community Group Happy Hour on Thursday, February 13th at BAR New Haven. Fun activities, drinks and appetizers will be provided by AF. This will be an amazing opportunity for Connecticut “Team & Family” to connect and set the course for the community group for the rest of the school year.

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

newslettersignup

Community Groups

Select Community Group Events