Where Girls Learn to Lead and People are Inspired to Teach
About Aspire Students
Since 2002, Aspire has tapped the leadership potential of middle school girls from under-resourced schools in Greater Cleveland. Over the course of a three-year commitment, Aspire girls participate in a variety of leadership-building activities in academic classes and exploratory workshops.
The tuition-free program helps girls imagine new possibilities for themselves, their education, and their communities. Aspire students develop a strong sense of self, deepen their educational ambitions, and become lifelong learners.
Teachers
Aspire also equips new educators with the tools necessary to bring innovative ideas to schools and communities. While working collaboratively with experienced teachers, high school and college students develop an awareness of the components of a high-quality education, leading them to be effective advocates for education and to consider teaching as a career.
Aspire prioritizes:
Community
A close knit and supportive community where everyone contributes their diverse interests, strengths, and experiences.
Mentorship
Students and teachers create powerful bonds, guiding and supporting each other in a multigenerational environment.
Exposure
A thoughtfully-designed curriculum introduces exciting people, places, and ideas in a format that emphasizes exploration through reading, writing, public speaking, problem solving, and collaboration.
Choice
The program gives students the opportunity to self-select activities, leading girls to be reflective about their decisions.
3
“Aspire taught me that I have a voice, I matter, and I am smart.”
Savannah
Aspire Alumna ’22
4
More Than 20 Years in the Making
Imagining
Aspire started with a teacher innovation grant at Hathaway Brown School in 2001. The grant allowed two teachers, Cammy Howe Dubie ’88 and Koyen Parikh Shah, to explore Cleveland’s educational landscape and research public-private collaborations designed to address challenges within the system. Dubie and Shah’s shared interest in educational access and equity for girls led them to conceptualize Aspire.
Emerging
In July 2002, Aspire welcomed its first class of 36 middle school girls. New cohorts were added in the following years — reaching capacity with just over 100 students in 2004. Themes for classes were identified, and the activities continued to evolve according to teacher interests and expertise.
Supporting
In Aspire’s early years, approximately a dozen foundations, including the Cleveland Foundation and Gund Foundation, supported the program. In 2012, a significant gift secured operating costs for the next decade.
In 2009, Aspire’s inaugural class graduated from high school and more than 80 percent went on to further their education at colleges and universities across the country. Aspire launched an alumnae association to deepen and extend connections with participants. Today, the program’s impact is realized in a powerful network of more than 500 Aspire alumnae. Additionally, many Aspire teachers have become change agents in their home schools, universities, and workplaces.
Evolving
Building on a solid history of empowering girls, Aspire’s 20th anniversary in 2022 marked a new era! Aspire continues to evolve to respond to the changing needs of girls.
Since its inception, more than 1,200 supporters have made gifts to Aspire. By 2022, Aspire had secured a $6M endowment, establishing greater financial security and opportunities for growth.
5
Designed for Girls
Meeting The Needs of Girls
Aspire creates a unique, multi-year, all-girls experience that instills high levels of agency, ambition, and self confidence in participants.
Aspire educators create fun, project-based lessons that inspire a love of learning. Small class sizes allow teachers to deliver a personalized learning experience and ongoing feedback about their growth as students.
Closing the Opportunity Gap
Aspire is tuition-free to increase access to programming designed for girls in Greater Cleveland. Outreach to elementary schools allows Aspire to identify and admit fifth-grade students who are seeking additional support as they build a foundation for success in high school, college, and beyond.
Impactful for Girls
Aspire increases a student’s:
• excitement and love for learning
• ability to identify healthy role models
• self-awareness and confidence
• understanding of community
• and ability to communicate effectively
Resulting in:
• proactive, healthy decision making about the future
• increased ability to assume leadership roles
• increased selection of challenging coursework in high school and beyond
• a greater likelihood of pursuing higher education
6
7
At a Glance
• All costs, including supplies, meals, and transportation are included
• Girls commit for three years, starting the summer before sixth grade
• Immersive and project-based learning in Math, English, Social Studies, and Science classes
• Students choose workshops in the arts, theater, sports, and more
• Students explore what it means to lead well through discussions and reflective activities
• Students explore technology to enhance their learning
• Traditions include Love Your Body Day, Aspire Olympics, a talent show and closing ceremony
• High school and college students, who work at Aspire with an interest in education, are mentored by experienced teachers
• An alumnae association extends connections among students in high school and beyond
8
9
learn
empower
lead
11
Inspiring Educators
Working at Aspire gives high school and college students the chance to develop skills and gain experience that sparks greater interest in teaching and learning. Many who have taught at Aspire are now teaching and leading creative and innovative initiatives for youth.
Aspire offers teachers:
• mentors who provide guidance and ongoing feedback
• support for innovation and creativity in the classroom
• awareness of emerging issues and trends in education
• leadership and communication skills
• the opportunity to collaborate with people who have diverse backgrounds and experiences
Resulting in:
• an understanding of the components of a high-quality education
• a greater likelihood of pursuing a career in education
• more thoughtful and informed advocacy for education
12
13
of
14
“I credit Aspire with so much of who I am. The program gave me the capacity to understand how extensive the possibilities for my future were.”
Taylor Jones, Aspire Alumna ’11
Graduate
Howard University and Harvard Kennedy School
Aspire & Hathaway Brown
Founded in 1876, Hathaway Brown School is an independent day school for girls in kindergarten through 12th grade with a coed Early Childhood Program. HB’s mission is to shape women of vision and courage who are prepared to rise boldly to the challenges of our times.
Aspire is rooted in what is most exceptional about HB: identifying young women with extraordinary potential, providing deep learning experiences that expand their horizons, and engaging outstanding educators and empowering them with resources to succeed. These are core components that reflect the institution’s focus on excellence in girls’ education.
Together, Aspire and HB are committed to girls’ education and expanding the reach to students of great promise throughout Greater Cleveland. The Aspire Program connects HB’s resources with a broader range of bright young women, expanding access to girls who attend under-resourced schools.
15
16 52306