Achievement First

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Closing the achievement gap is the civil rights issue of our time. From the moment students arrive at Achievement First schools, they are held to high expectations built around the belief that they can and will achieve academic success.

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

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The culture at our schools is one of rigor and joy—you can sense the urgency and energy when you enter an Achievement First school. Our lessons are geared to engage students and foster a lifelong love of learning.

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

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At Achievement First, we believe all children can succeed when presented with the right educational opportunities. Across the Achievement First network, our students—low-income, African-American and Latino students—are outpacing their state and district peers.

For the third consecutive year in as many graduating classes, 100 percent of seniors have gained acceptance to four-year colleges and universities.

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We work hard every day to close the achievement gap and deliver on the promise of equal educational opportunity for all children, regardless of race, economic status or zip code. Our first priority is to provide a truly outstanding, gap-closing education to our thousands of students.

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

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Achievement First is proud to serve special education students, English Language Learners, talented and gifted students, and all other students accepted through our blind lotteries. We don’t have admission requirements or interviews, and there are no admission or tuition fees.

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

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At Achievement First, we help individual students, entire schools and partner districts close the achievement gap. We are committed to engaging volunteer tutors, increasing public awareness, and advocating for public policies that would support education reform and the expansion of high-quality school choices.

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

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People matter mightily at Achievement First. We spare no effort to recruit the best teachers, school leaders, subject-area and functional experts, and operations specialists from around the country, provide them with outstanding professional development, and create opportunities that will inspire and support them in their careers.

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

Achievement First Saturday Tutoring Program

The Achievement First Tutoring Program is an intensive intervention aimed at helping under-performing elementary, middle and high school students (grades three to 11) master fundamental math and reading skills. Tutors work at one of our charter schools in Brooklyn or Connecticut, teaching and mentoring the same two students every week. Tutors have an opportunity to build an enduring bond with our students while truly impacting their academic achievement.

When Can I Tutor?

The Saturday Academy program, our largest program, meets approximately three Saturdays each month, and students receive over three hours of direct instruction each session. Saturday Academy operates on a semester schedule: our fall semester runs from September to December, and our spring semester runs from January to May.
Afterschool Tutoring: Several schools hold an Afterschool Tutoring program, Monday through Thursday, from 4:15 - 5:15 p.m.

Support For Tutors

We highly value our tutors, who serve as a crucial component of our college-preparatory and character-building mission. We set tutors up for success by providing:

Ongoing training opportunities
Recurring observation and feedback sessions
Time for planning and collaboration
Individualized support from a site-based Saturday
academy director
All necessary curricular resources

Are You Ready to Join the Movement?

Achievement First is looking for passionate and committed tutors who share our belief that strong academic instruction can close the achievement gap and fundamentally change the trajectory of our students’ lives. Our schools work relentlessly to impart the academic and character skills necessary for every student to succeed in college and life. An ideal candidate:

Has strong math and reading skills
Demonstrates professionalism
Is committed to punctuality, strong attendance and accountability
Shows a deep interest in working with and mentoring students

Who Can Apply?

All ages are welcome to apply, including high school students, college students, Federal Work Study candidates, college graduates and adult professionals.
We give preference to volunteers and Federal Work Study students. For others, compensation is based on experience.

Program Information: How to Apply

Want to be a tutor who opens minds and closes the achievement gap?
If you are interested in tutoring, please email your resume to Danielle Wessler, associate director of tutoring and outreach programs, at daniellewessler[at]achievementfirst[dot]org. In your email, please indicate the program to which you are applying.