Breakthrough Pittsburgh

Breakthrough Pittsburgh aims to provide highly motivated, under-resourced students access to quality educational opportunities. During their six-year tenure with the program, students are inculcated with resources to ensure that they fulfill their goals of competitive college matriculation. Our program also inspires the next generation of educators by mentoring bright, enthusiastic high school and college students through one of the most hands-on pre-professional teaching fellowships available.

Starting in 1994 as a middle school program under the name of Summerbridge Pittsburgh and evolving into a six-year program under the name of Breakthrough Pittsburgh, our determination of providing equitable access to college has remained the same. Each year, Breakthrough Pittsburgh welcomes between 30 to 35 new Grade 7 students from middle schools all across the Pittsburgh region – from Penn Hills to the North Side, Mt. Oliver to Coraopolis. Likewise, each year Breakthrough Pittsburgh brings together cohorts of teaching fellows, tutors, and volunteers to help support these students. Approximately 50 college students and volunteers proudly serve our students in their efforts to become their best academic selves and achieve their dreams of attending college.

Although during the 2019-2020 school year, students across the country were impacted by the pandemic, Breakthrough remained steadfast in delivering equitable access to the road to college. We were able to continue 100% of our summer program, tutoring, and college-bound programming virtually. Our students never skipped a beat. College-bound programming highlights included SAT/ACT tests prep course, FAFSA completion event, essay revision and application assistance with college-bound mentors, and College 101 workshops for families. One-hundred percent of the Breakthrough Pittsburgh Class of 2020 received two or more college acceptance letters from all across the country, and 87% are attending college this fall at schools like Temple University, Allegheny College, and Washington & Jefferson.

In our first-ever Virtual Summer Program, we continued to make positive changes in both the teacher training and student academic realms. The Virtual Summer Program highlights included our annual Virtual College Visit Day at Arizona State University, Philander Smith College, Columbia University, and Haverford College.

Now in its 27th year, Breakthrough Pittsburgh is more determined than ever to maximize opportunities for our students through college access programming, combating summer learning loss through a rigorous summer educational experience, and improving our schools across the United States through intensive teacher training. These efforts are only made possible through the shared vision and generous support of our philanthropic partners.