Breakthrough Houston
About Breakthrough Houston
Breakthrough Houston starts before 7th grade and stays with students through college completion, which is rare and reassuring in equal measure. Along the way, students get academic enrichment, college advising, and one-on-one support that helps the next step feel less like a guess. The organization also grows future educators and advocates through its Teaching Fellows, so the work keeps circling back into classrooms.
What sets Breakthrough Houston apart is the length of the relationship. Students are supported across middle school, high school, and college, while high school and college students gain classroom experience as Teaching Fellows and near-peer mentors.
Programs
The concrete work this nonprofit runs. Each program may later become a fundable project.
Middle School Program
A 10-year pathway that begins before high school, with summer and school year support for rising 7th, 8th, and 9th grade students. The program includes academic classes, leadership development, Saturday sessions, and tutoring for students who need additional support.
College Bound Program
A four-year college preparatory program for high school students that includes mentorship, SAT/ACT prep, college visits, career and college counseling, resume building, internships, summer enrichment, and community service opportunities.
College Completion Program
Wraparound support for Breakthrough students in college, including one-on-one advising, academic and financial support, belongingness support, peer mentoring, financial literacy education, social-emotional learning support, and career readiness programming.
Teaching Fellows
A program in which high school and college students serve as summer teachers and near-peer mentors for middle school students while gaining classroom experience, coaching, and professional development for future careers in education or education advocacy.
About this work
In their own words — what they do, who it reaches, and what your dollars actually fund.
Mission
Breakthrough Houston has a unique dual mission of working with highly motivated students to achieve post-secondary success and empowering aspiring leaders to become the next generation of educational advocates.
Who they serve
Highly motivated, historically excluded Houston students from middle school through college completion, plus high school and college students who serve as Teaching Fellows.
Their impact
- The College Bound Program has graduated 11 classes of seniors with a 99% college acceptance rate.
- Ten years ago, the program trained 24 Teaching Fellows, and in 2020 it trained 96.
How your donation helps
- Academic enrichment and project-based learning for middle school students
- College readiness workshops and college admission guidance for high school students
- One-on-one advising and coaching for college students
- Materials for Bridge programming
- A College Road Trip for high school students to tour colleges outside Houston
- The College Success Fund
- Summer opportunities such as out-of-state internships for high school students
Our story
Breakthrough Houston opened in 1995 with a small class of 7th grade students and a handful of teachers. It began as Summerbridge and later joined the national Breakthrough Collaborative, carrying forward a students-teaching-students model and a long-term commitment to serving students from middle school through high school graduation. The organization later expanded to a second Houston site in 2016 with Connect Community and a third site in 2019 at Gregory Lincoln Education Center.
Need help?
How someone in need can access Breakthrough Houston’s services.
Rising 7th, 8th, and 9th grade students in Houston can apply for the Middle School Program if they are academically motivated, at or above grade level in math and reading, enrolled in 6th or 7th grade, and able to attend both summer and school-year programming. Families can contact the Middle School Team at programs@breakthroughhouston.org, and family information sessions are available.
Stories
The people behind the work.
In their words
“The mission of Breakthrough Houston is to work with highly motivated students to achieve post-secondary success and empower aspiring leaders to become the next generation of educational advocates.”
“Breakthrough Houston has a unique dual mission of working with highly motivated students to achieve post-secondary success and empowering aspiring leaders to become the next generation of educational advocates.”
“The College Bound Program has now graduated 11 classes of seniors with a 99% college acceptance rate.”
“Their guidance, test prep, financial aid support, and even emergency assistance helped me enter college confident and prepared.”
“My experience at Breakthrough has been phenomenal.”
Events
Cultivating Growth Luncheon
annual springAn annual spring luncheon that brings together supporters, educators, and advocates to celebrate students, educators, and long-term commitment.
Career Day
annual summerA summer event for 8th grade students where sponsors share careers and students hear from role model speakers.
Student Application Workshops
seasonalApplication workshops for prospective students at multiple Houston locations.
Summer Program
annual summerAn eight-week June and July program that includes teacher orientation, six weeks of classroom work, and teacher evaluations.
Ways to help
Concrete needs and volunteer roles Breakthrough Houston has shared.
Volunteer opportunities
- Essay Coach
- Career Day host or sponsor
- Role Model Speaker
- Summer Teaching Fellow
- Instructional Coach
Recognition & press
Awards & recognition
- The Princeton Review ranked Breakthrough as a Top Ten summer internship.
Partners & funders
In the news
Articles featuring Breakthrough Houston from the Love What You Fund newsroom.
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about this nonprofit and how its work happens.
Who can apply to the Middle School Program?
Students who are academically motivated, at or above grade level in math and reading, and enrolled in 6th or 7th grade can apply if they can take part in both the summer and school-year programming. Eighth graders may apply, but there are only a limited number of spots.
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