Apply to Breakthrough
Breakthrough could be the community for you if you:
- are a fifth grader in a Manchester public school
- are ready to work hard to reach your goals
- want to go to college
Breakthrough is visiting your fifth grade classroom in February, 2010. Please read below for specific application instructions.
Step One: Attend one of the required Family Information Sessions. We require that students come with a parent or guardian. These sessions will be held at The Derryfield School (click for directions). Choose ONE of the following dates:
- Thursday, February 18, 6:00-7:00pm
- (Vamos a tener interpetacion en español disponible en esta reunion. Spanish interpretation available at this session.)
- Saturday, February 20, 11:00am-12:00pm
- (Buoi hop nay se duoc trinh bay bang tieng Viet va tieng Anh. Vietnamese interpretation available at this session.)
- Monday, February 22, 4:00-5:00pm
- Tuesday, March 2, 6:00-7:00pm
- *If we need to cancel one of these sessions due to weather we will post a rescheduled date on our homepage.
Step Two: Interested students can request an application from their fifth grade teacher or school counselor, or download the application here. Parts of the application need to be completed by you, your family, your teacher, and your guidance counselor. The application must be postmarked and mailed to the Breakthrough office by March 15, 2010.
Step Three: Student applicants attend a group interview session after school. These sessions are scheduled in March, and applicants will be notified by mail of the time and location of their interview session.
Students will receive their notification letters during April vacation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Download our informational brochure for more information.
What if I am not in fifth grade?
Fifth grade is the only entry point into Breakthrough. If you are younger than fifth grade, keep us in mind for when you reach fifth grade. If you have already passed fifth grade, you will be eligible to teach at Breakthrough beginning in tenth grade.
What if I do not go to a Manchester public elementary school?
At this time, Breakthrough only accepts students from the fourteen Manchester public elementary schools. Applicant demand from these schools alone already far exceeds the number of spaces we have for students in our program.
How long does Breakthrough last?
Seven years. Becoming a Breakthrough student is a much larger commitment than going to summer camp. Breakthrough students commit to participating during the summer and school year programs throughout middle school (required in sixth and seventh grades, optional in eighth) and to working with Breakthrough throughout high school as we help you achieve your goal of going to college. Each summer session is six weeks long, Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 3:00 pm. School year sessions involve a combination of Saturday and after school programs; some are required and some are optional.
Do I have homework in the summer?
You receive 20 to 25 minutes of homework in each of your four academic classes during the summer. This means one to two hours of homework each night.
How much does Breakthrough cost?
Breakthrough is tuition free for students and their families. All programs and services are made possible through the generous support of businesses, foundations, and individuals who believe in the mission of Breakthrough.
Is there transportation?
Transportation is provided for students who are unable to arrange rides from their families, and may include riding a school bus or carpooling with other Breakthrough families.
Are meals provided?
Breakfast, lunch, and snacks are provided free of charge for all participants.
Who are Breakthrough teachers?
Breakthrough teachers are talented high school and college students from Manchester and across the country who are learning how to teach. They work hard to create classes that help students develop their skills and succeed academically.
How big will my classes be at Breakthrough?
Each Breakthrough class has about seven students, so you will receive lots of attention and support from each teacher.
If you have further questions about applying to Breakthrough, please email Trevor Munhall or call 603/641-9426.
