We plan several signature events throughout the year — each one serving triple duty as a community gathering, family engagement opportunity, and visibility platform for our work. Every event is carefully evaluated and documented to demonstrate quality outcomes to students, families, and stakeholders alike.
Early in the school year, we host a combined College Fair and Career Expo at a local college. Middle schoolers and their parents meet representatives from local colleges as well as professionals from fields like tech, arts, law enforcement, and more.
This event energizes students with goals for the year and connects families to resources. It also publicly launches our partnership — drawing press and community leaders to see our work firsthand.
An innovative event designed to provide students with an immersive and interactive experience to explore various colleges and universities — no travel required.

Mid-year, students showcase projects from their first semester clubs. The gym or auditorium transforms into a gallery of student work — science experiments, art pieces, robots, and more — with students stationed to explain their creations to guests.
Hands-on experiments and engineering projects put critical thinking on display.
Student artwork and creative projects celebrate expression alongside academics.
Students build confidence by explaining their work to guests, families, and community leaders.
Toward the end of the year, our Youth Chambers help organize a conference-style event where students take the lead. They present outcomes of community projects, run workshops for peers — such as a 7th grader teaching 6th graders how to start a community garden — and invite younger students from feeder elementary schools to inspire them.
This elevates student voice on a public platform and reinforces that age is no barrier to leadership.
A special workshop series and ceremony for our 8th graders as they finish middle school. Coaches guide students through "High School 101" — what to expect, navigating new independence, and staying on track for college. High school representatives are invited to welcome them.
Coaches share real experience on expectations, independence, and staying college-focused.
Each 8th grader is honored individually in a small, meaningful ceremony.
Students are informally paired with a coach or older student for continued support into 9th grade.
Events