Student Admissions

How Our Program Works

Breakthrough New York is a free program that prepares students to succeed in middle school, high school, and college. It is a ten-year program that starts the summer before 7th grade.

7th – 9th Grade: We offer summer and after-school programs for enrichment, and help students apply to excellent high schools

9th – 12th Grade: We hold workshops focused on wellness, professional skills, and applying to top colleges

College: We provide mentors to help students succeed in their academic, finances, wellness, and career readiness

The application for current 6th grade students has closed.

Complete the form below to learn how to apply in the future or about similar programs in NYC.

Student Interest Form

Contact Us

Daisy Salas, Admissions Coordinator

Languages: English and Spanish

Phone

917-258-3456

Email

[email protected]

Is My Student Eligible?

Your student is eligible to apply if:

They are in the 6th grade during the 2022-2023 school year
They have an 83% or above in ELA, Math, Science, and Social Stduies as of their first 6th grade report card
They come from a low-income household (see chart)
The student and at least one guardian have been vaccinated against COVID-19 by April 1, 2023

How to Apply

Current 6th grade applicants will follow the steps below to complete your application. If you missed the application deadline, please complete an interest form here.

Step 1

Submit Part 2 of the application by March 3, 2023 (short responses, essay, teacher recommendations, and proof of income)

Step 2

Participate in student & family interview in April

Step 3

Receive admissions offer on May 5, 2023!

Two Breakthrough New York employees standing and smiling together

Students and Teaching Fellows posing at an end-of-summer celebration

Students standing in front of a wall of albums at Pace Gallery

A panel of students sitting at a long table

For Schools & Community Partners

Middle schools and community-based organizations can nominate 6th graders to our program. Use the resources below to refer students or schedule a partnership call!

Schedule Partnership Call

Admissions Flyer (multilingual)

Guide for Schools

Guide for CBOs

Hear From Our Students

Breakthrough Voices

Justin

“If I could use one word to describe Breakthrough, it would be ‘community.’ As cliche as it may sound, nowhere else have I found a group of people as supportive as my peers at Breakthrough. Breakthrough enabled my initiative by helping me realize my potential.”

Alisha

“What’s so special about us Breakthrough students is that we have an astounding sense of curiosity and passion for learning that is only amplified once attending the program. Without Breakthrough, I know that I would not be the strong, independent, Black woman that I am today.”

Manny

“Breakthrough is helpful. That’s the ultimate word that I can use to summarize my experience. The experience of applying for college in high school – I would have been so lost without [Breakthrough].”

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I watch a recording of your information session?

You can watch recordings of our information sessions in English or in Spanish.

If I'm accepted, do I have to attend all ten years of programming?

Yes, students who enroll in Breakthrough New York commit to participating in our programs for ten years – from middle school through college graduation.

Does Breakthrough New York cost anything?

Breakthrough New York’s programs are completely free!

Do I need to be vaccinated against COVID-19 to participate?

Breakthrough New York requires vaccination for all students participating in our program starting in 2022. Both the 6th grade applicant and at least one guardian will need to be vaccinated by April 1, 2023 to participate in our final round interviews (if selected), which will take place in-person in April 2023. In your application, you will have the option to request a medical exemption (proof from a medical provider required), but no other exemptions will be made.

You can find more information about the safety of COVID-19 vaccines here, and schedule your appointment to be vaccinated here.

Does Breakthrough New York provide transportation to their summer and afterschool program?

Our students attend over 100 different schools across the city, so we do not provide busing to our programs. Students are responsible for commuting to our after-school and summer programs, whether through public transportation, car pool, or parent transportation. We will provide free MetroCards during the summer and after-school program – if students don’t already have one from their school – so students can travel to program. When possible, we will connect students to others at their site so they can travel together.

Where do I attend the middle school summer and afterschool programming?

Our students attend the middle school program (summer and afterschool) at one of the following 3 sites, based on their preference:

Bronx:All Hallows High School (111 E 164th St, Bronx, NY 10452)
Brooklyn:Liberty Avenue Middle School (350 Linwood Street, Brooklyn, NY 11208)
Manhattan: The Town School (540 East 76th Street, New York, NY 10021)

Students must attend the same site for their summer and school year programming. In order to get to the after-school program on time, we recommend students apply to the site closest to their school.

I am not able to attend all of the program dates. Can I still participate?

Students must be able to attend 100% of our programming once they are admitted. It is important that your family can support this commitment before you choose to apply.

How do I nominate a student to apply to Breakthrough New York?

The deadline to submit 6th grade nominations for the 2022-2023 admissions season has passed. Please schedule a call with the Breakthrough New York Admissions Team to learn about how to partner with us for the 2023-2024 admissions season!

I don't meet all of the requirements for Breakthrough New York. Is there another program I can apply to?

Yes. Check out this list of other out-of-school programming in New York City.