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Jocelyn Calvillo '08 F achieves her dream The first time Jocelyn Calvillo signed her name as an attorney was a powerful moment.  That simple gesture of her pen represented the culmination of work that began for her in middle school. Jocelyn attended DeKalb PATH Academy.  She learned about Reach for Excellence when Karen Dessables gave a presentation on the Reach program.  Jocelyn was eager to join Reach, but her parents were concerned about maintaining a commitment to attend classes on Saturdays and during the Summer.  Jocelyn had 3 siblings, and both parents worked demanding schedules.  Transportation to [...]

Ms. Mavity Sees Remarkable Student Growth "It's very difficult for me to choose a favorite thing about teaching at Reach, because there are so many wonderful aspects of being a part of this community. However, one of the most unique aspects about teaching our Reach scholars is the continuity that we get. As a Spanish teacher at a large school during the school week, I am used to working with students for just a semester, or at most, a full school year. However, with Reach, the fact that students and parents commit to 3 years of Saturday [...]

Reach Graduates Return to Speak at Career Day On Saturday, December 4th, twelve Reach for Excellence Alumni returned to our campus to invest in our current students.  Jared Alexander ('07 E), Genie Arcila ('06 D), Shelby Ashley ('07 E), Terrance Butler ('09 G), Jocelyn Calvillo ('08 F), Christina Chandra ('06 D), Brandon Fountain ('11 I), Erik Guzman ('16 F), Jay Kendrick ('07 E), Serena Lau ('11 I), Wollinsky Mendez ('05 C), Summer Robinson ('11 I), and Chanel Tobias ('10 H) shared their experience from high school to college to [...]

Davonté Simmons What is your favorite Reach for Excellence memory from this Summer? My favorite reach for excellence memory from this Summer is completing two novels during our Book Club. The young men and I both were excited and proud to complete two thought-provoking novels during our time together. What do you teach? I teach 5th grade, all subjects, including Bible curriculum. Where did you go to school? I went to Benedict College, an HBCU in South Carolina, for undergraduate studies and the University of Kansas to obtain my Master's in Curriculum and Instruction. How would you [...]

Cohort 2021 S completes Reach for Excellence On Saturday, July 31st, Cohort S 2021 was honored for completing Reach for Excellence's three-year academic program.  Henry Diep, Cohort 2017 O, was our guest speaker.  Henry will be attending Georgia Tech this Fall and is a recipient of the Tim Cambias Memorial Scholarship.  The young scholars of Cohort S were accepted to the following high schools: Chamblee Charter High School Cristo Rey Atlanta Jesuit High School DeKalb Early College Academy Holy Innocents Episcopal School Lanier High School Marist School North [...]

Open House Guests See Reach for Excellence in Action This past Tuesday, July 20, Reach for Excellence welcomed friends of our program to visit our campus.  Guests met several Reach for Excellence alumni currently serving as interns during our summer session and where able to ask them questions about their experience in the program and their journey after.  Following a brief update by our Executive Director, Karen Dessables, guests were invited to tour classrooms and interact with our teachers and students.  We are so grateful to all who [...]

Andrew Betz How long have you taught with Reach for Excellence? 2021 is my 5th year, possibly 6th. What do you teach? I teach SSAT Math and Board Games Where did you go to school? I went to college at Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania How would you describe yourself in middle school? Middle school was my opportunity to indulge in lawn mowing and math.  Lots of both. What was your favorite book, music, or movie when you were in middle school? Book - Lord of the Rings, Music - everything Beatles, Movie - Star Wars (I have [...]