Our Blog | Achievement First

CATEGORY: Advocacy, Identity, News

Misty Copeland Inspires at the AF25 Summit

Melissa

Jun 13, 2025

Achievement First marked our 25th anniversary with a joyful AF25 Summit in New Haven, the city where it all began. We gathered at...

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CATEGORY: Blog

The Power of Mentorship: Teacher’s Impact on a Student

Melissa

Jun 1, 2025

In education, teachers do a lot more than just teach. They inspire, guide, and truly change lives. While students might forget many...

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CATEGORY: Blog

Academic Performance and Arts: Why Creative Learning Matters

Melissa

May 9, 2025

Arts education plays a crucial role in students’ development, yet its impact on academic performance is often overlooked. Many...

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CATEGORY: Blog

How Zeta Phi Beta Shaped a School Leader’s Journey

Melissa

Apr 1, 2025

Black Greek organizations have long played a vital role in shaping leaders, fostering community, and uplifting individuals through...

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achievement1st

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Our #AF25 Summit brought together students, alumni, educators, staff, families, and partners from across our network to reflect on 25 years of impact and to dream boldly about what’s ahead.

We were inspired by student performances, energized by speakers like Misty Copeland and Geoffrey Canada, and moved by panels like our Alumni Full Circle Panel.

We also connected and celebrated together, from the alumni social to our staff soiree.

Thank you to everyone who made this event possible. Here’s to the next 25 years of joy, community, and student brilliance!

#GoFurtherTogether #ChooseJoy #AchievementFirst #AlumniVoices #PublicCharterSchools

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Our #AF25 Summit brought together students, alumni, educators, staff, families, and partners from across our network to reflect on 25 years of impact and to dream boldly about what’s ahead.

We were inspired by student performances, energized by speakers like Misty Copeland and Geoffrey Canada, and moved by panels like our Alumni Full Circle Panel.

We also connected and celebrated together, from the alumni social to our staff soiree.

Thank you to everyone who made this event possible. Here’s to the next 25 years of joy, community, and student brilliance!

#GoFurtherTogether #ChooseJoy #AchievementFirst #AlumniVoices #PublicCharterSchools

At AF Hartford High School, our students lead, grow, and prepare for what’s next, with the support of a school that truly sees them.

Watch this 60-second snapshot of what makes our school community special.

AF Hartford HS is a free, public charter school in Hartford, CT. Submit your interest form today at achievementfirst.org/apply

#achievementfirst #hartfordpublicschools

@afhartfordhigh

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At AF Hartford High School, our students lead, grow, and prepare for what’s next, with the support of a school that truly sees them.

Watch this 60-second snapshot of what makes our school community special.

AF Hartford HS is a free, public charter school in Hartford, CT. Submit your interest form today at achievementfirst.org/apply

#achievementfirst #hartfordpublicschools

@afhartfordhigh

Today, we honor Juneteenth, a day that commemorates the end of slavery in the U.S. and celebrates Black freedom, resilience, and joy. At Achievement First, we know that remembering our history is essential to building a more just future. We also know that true liberation means centering the brilliance, voices, and leadership of Black students, families, and educators every day, not just today.

#Juneteenth #AchievementFirst #LeadForRacialEquity

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Today, we honor Juneteenth, a day that commemorates the end of slavery in the U.S. and celebrates Black freedom, resilience, and joy. At Achievement First, we know that remembering our history is essential to building a more just future. We also know that true liberation means centering the brilliance, voices, and leadership of Black students, families, and educators every day, not just today.

#Juneteenth #AchievementFirst #LeadForRacialEquity

We loved seeing so many of our incredible alumni at the AF25 Summit Alumni Social, a fun night of connection and celebration at Anchor Spa in New Haven. Hosted by our College & Career and Teacher Recruitment teams, the night was full of great energy, food, cocktails, raffles, gifts, and, most importantly, community. Here’s to 25 years of impact and the brilliant AF alumni who continue to lead and inspire. We loved celebrating with you!

#AF25 #GoFurtherTogether #Alumni #AF25Summit #AchievementFirst

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We loved seeing so many of our incredible alumni at the AF25 Summit Alumni Social, a fun night of connection and celebration at Anchor Spa in New Haven. Hosted by our College & Career and Teacher Recruitment teams, the night was full of great energy, food, cocktails, raffles, gifts, and, most importantly, community. Here’s to 25 years of impact and the brilliant AF alumni who continue to lead and inspire. We loved celebrating with you!

#AF25 #GoFurtherTogether #Alumni #AF25Summit #AchievementFirst

A night to remember! Our scholars showed up and showed out for Prom! Middle school and High school seniors celebrated friendship, joy, and everything they’ve accomplished this year. Here’s to memories that will last a lifetime!

#AchievementFirst #ChooseJoy #Prom2025

@afuniversityprep
@afeastbrooklynhigh
@apollomiddlehawks

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A night to remember! Our scholars showed up and showed out for Prom! Middle school and High school seniors celebrated friendship, joy, and everything they’ve accomplished this year. Here’s to memories that will last a lifetime!

#AchievementFirst #ChooseJoy #Prom2025

@afuniversityprep
@afeastbrooklynhigh
@apollomiddlehawks

We were honored to kick off our AF25 Summit with keynote speaker Misty Copeland, groundbreaking ballet dancer and a true icon of resilience, brilliance, and possibility. Her powerful story and words deeply moved us, reminding us of what’s possible when we believe in ourselves, in each other, and in the young people we serve.

A special highlight of the day: our incredibly talented student dancers had the unforgettable opportunity to perform for Misty and to meet her afterward in a heartfelt and inspiring meet-and-greet! It was a moment of connection and celebration that we’ll carry with us for a long time.

Thank you, Misty, for inspiring us to dream bigger and go further together.

@amistadacademymiddle
@afbrooklynhigh

#AF25 #GoFurtherTogether #AF25Summit #MistyCopeland #AchievementFirst

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We were honored to kick off our AF25 Summit with keynote speaker Misty Copeland, groundbreaking ballet dancer and a true icon of resilience, brilliance, and possibility. Her powerful story and words deeply moved us, reminding us of what’s possible when we believe in ourselves, in each other, and in the young people we serve.

A special highlight of the day: our incredibly talented student dancers had the unforgettable opportunity to perform for Misty and to meet her afterward in a heartfelt and inspiring meet-and-greet! It was a moment of connection and celebration that we’ll carry with us for a long time.

Thank you, Misty, for inspiring us to dream bigger and go further together.

@amistadacademymiddle
@afbrooklynhigh

#AF25 #GoFurtherTogether #AF25Summit #MistyCopeland #AchievementFirst

From Brooklyn to Queens, our NYC schools are filled with joy, purpose, and deep commitment to student success.

This video celebrates our students’ brilliance, the dedication of our educators, and the power of community that fuels us every day.

We’re proud to stand alongside families and staff who make our mission real, and to keep building bright futures together.

Watch now and share the love!

#achievementfirst #gofurthertogether #AF25 #charterschools

@aflegacyelem
@afapollo_es
@apollomiddlehawks
@afaspiretigers
@aspiremiddleschool_af
@afbrownsville_elementary
@afbrmseagles
@afbushwick_es
@af_bushwickmiddle
@af_crownheights
@afcrownheights_ms
@af_enyeswolfpack
@af_enyms
@afendeavor
@afendeavor_ms
@aflinden_es
@af_lindenmiddle
@afnbpes
@aftrailblazers
@voyagermiddleaviators
@afbrooklynhigh
@afeastbrooklynhigh
@afujimahigh
@afuniversityprep

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From Brooklyn to Queens, our NYC schools are filled with joy, purpose, and deep commitment to student success.

This video celebrates our students’ brilliance, the dedication of our educators, and the power of community that fuels us every day.

We’re proud to stand alongside families and staff who make our mission real, and to keep building bright futures together.

Watch now and share the love!

#achievementfirst #gofurthertogether #AF25 #charterschools

@aflegacyelem
@afapollo_es
@apollomiddlehawks
@afaspiretigers
@aspiremiddleschool_af
@afbrownsville_elementary
@afbrmseagles
@afbushwick_es
@af_bushwickmiddle
@af_crownheights
@afcrownheights_ms
@af_enyeswolfpack
@af_enyms
@afendeavor
@afendeavor_ms
@aflinden_es
@af_lindenmiddle
@afnbpes
@aftrailblazers
@voyagermiddleaviators
@afbrooklynhigh
@afeastbrooklynhigh
@afujimahigh
@afuniversityprep

Our AF Connecticut schools have grown from one small school in New Haven to a thriving community of scholars, families, and educators across the region, including Hartford and Bridgeport.

Together, we’ve built a joyful and safe learning environment where students discover their brilliance and their power to lead lives of purpose.

Watch our Connecticut story!

@afbp_es
@af_bridgeport_middle
@afhartfordelementary
@afhartfordsummit
@afhartfordhigh
@aaeslions
@amistadacademymiddle
@amistadhighwolfpack
@elmcityelementary
@elm.city.middle

#AF25 #gofurthertogether #connecticut #achievementfirst #charterschools

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Our AF Connecticut schools have grown from one small school in New Haven to a thriving community of scholars, families, and educators across the region, including Hartford and Bridgeport.

Together, we’ve built a joyful and safe learning environment where students discover their brilliance and their power to lead lives of purpose.

Watch our Connecticut story!

@afbp_es
@af_bridgeport_middle
@afhartfordelementary
@afhartfordsummit
@afhartfordhigh
@aaeslions
@amistadacademymiddle
@amistadhighwolfpack
@elmcityelementary
@elm.city.middle

#AF25 #gofurthertogether #connecticut #achievementfirst #charterschools

Big dreams start here!
From their first steps into school to reading, exploring, and creating, our scholars are growing as confident learners and compassionate leaders.

Watch this video to see the magic of AF Hartford Elementary in action and why so many families choose to be part of our community.

Share this with a family looking for a great school!

#hartfordct #charterschool #elementaryeducation #achievementfirst

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