Middle school is a crucial juncture in making a difference in young people's lives and the purpose of Aim High is to reach students at this critical crossroads and propel them towards success in high school and college. Research has shown that sustained intervention during the middle school years goes a long way to keeping students engaged in their education, resulting in lower high school drop-out rates and higher rates of college matriculation. 

• Most students lose about two months of grade level equivalency in mathematical computation skills over the summer months. Low-income students also lose more than two months in reading achievement, despite the fact that their middle-class peers make slight gains (Cooper, 1996).


• More than half of the achievement gap between lower- and higher-income youth can be explained by unequal access to summer learning opportunities. As a result, low-income youth are less likely to graduate from high school or enter college (Alexander et al, 2007).


• Children lose more than academic knowledge over the summer. Most children—particularly children at high risk of obesity—gain weight more rapidly when they are out of school during summer break (Von Hippel et al, 2007).


• Parents consistently cite summer as the most difficult time to ensure that their children have productive things to do (Duffett et al, 2004).


• For every 100 students in the U.S. who begin ninth grade, 67 finish high school in four years and only 38 go to college. (Mortenson, T. (2000). NCES-IPEDS graduation rate survey. Postsecondary Education Opportunity.)


• As they get older, poor children and children of color are left behind because of their lack of access to enrichment activities during the summer and after school. (Benson & Saito, 2000; Clark, 1998; Copper, Charlton, Valentine & Muhlenbruck, 2000)


• Only one in ten high school students of color in the United States today is likely to graduate from college within four years. (Scholar Jay Greene)