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New 6th Graders begin their Reach Journey Our new Cohort of 6th Grade Scholars has begun their studies with Reach for Excellence.  Most years, students are recommended by their teachers to apply for the Reach for Excellence program during the Spring of their 5th-grade year.  In March, school closures delayed the usual application process but did not prevent us from receiving applications from gifted and dedicated young people. Cohort 2023 U (Reach for Excellence Cohorts have been identified alphabetically since 2003) includes students from Atlanta, Clarkston, Chamblee, Doraville, Lithonia, [...]

Debra Hood-Booker named Teacher of the Month Congrats to veteran Reach for Excellence teacher Debra Hood-Booker for being named Teacher of the Month, representing St. Peter Claver in the Archdiocese of Atlanta. Debra is currently the Administrative Assistant, Art Teacher, and Director of the Extended Day Program at St. Peter Claver Regional Catholic School. Debra is a fantastic resource for Reach for Excellence students. She teaches Art, Algebra, and SSAT prep, but her extensive civic service experience makes her a unique source of wisdom and guidance. She has worked as an AmeriCorps NCCC and AmeriCorps VISTA volunteer and [...]

Sheronda Hardy How long have you taught with Reach for Excellence? I have taught with Reach for Excellence for 13 years.  It doesn’t seem like that long because really it is fun, moreover in the summer!  Over the course of this time, I have had some of my BEST teaching experiences.  Also, within these thirteen years, I have seen the program evolve.  Every year it gets better and better. What do you teach? I teach 8th grade Georgia Studies.  I LOVE it!  Teaching Georgia Studies to my favorite level of students, middle school, is so rewarding.  It is during [...]

Meet Our Teachers: Christopher Michaud How long have you taught with Reach for Excellence? I have taught at REACH for 3 years. What do you teach? I teach computer science and engineering to 7th, 8th, and 9th-grade scholars. Where did you go to school? That is an interesting question. I completed degrees at three Universities: Temple University: Bachelor of Music George Mason University: Master of Arts in Music Georgia Institute of Technology: Master of Science in Computer Science How would you describe yourself in middle school? I was a quirky student interested in music, math, acting, and [...]

Alumni Spotlight: Jared Alexander, Class of 2007, Cohort E Tell us the story about how you came to Reach for Excellence. My mother was looking for an enrichment program to ensure I was getting the best instruction year-round while keeping me ahead of my public school’s curriculum. What memories from Reach for Excellence stand out to you? The majority of the schools I attended were primarily black. RFE was my first time having classmates from vastly different cultures. I remember we had a culture fair in which students set up displays representing the different countries they (or [...]