Students thrive in different settings; teachers thrive in different settings; families thrive in different settings. There is no one answer to delivering an outstanding education. At Breakthrough Schools, we recognize that. Our schools' distinct educational models reflect our belief that there are many ways to deliver an outstanding college preparatory education. We want to ensure every student, family, teacher can be in a school that will help them achieve their absolute best. Learn more about all our schools:
Our Citizens Schools are defined by a commitment to academic excellence and responsible citizenship. Our K-5 model provides two hours of daily literacy and math instruction with an integrated citizenship curriculum. Our 6-8 model continues rigorous academics and prepares leaders of tomorrow through an innovative Expeditionary Learning curriculum. Our Citizens Schools include:
Citizens Leadership Academy Ohio Dept Ed Rating: Effective Teach | Enroll | Learn More
Watch this video about how our Citizens Academy Elementary schools build strong school cultures where students can thrive:
And, check out this video about how our Citizens Leadership Academy Middle Schools engage students through Expeditionary Learning:
History of the Citizens Model: The original Citizens Academy was founded in 1999 by Perry White, intending to prove that inner-city students can excel. Since then, it has developed a national reputation for excellence. Its success stems from a deep commitment to continuous improvement, which helped Citizens Academy become one of only two schools in Ohio to go from Academic Emergency to consecutive ratings of Excellent. In addition to the high expectations school culture, extended student learning, and data-driven approach CA, features: a virtue-centered culture with an integrated citizenship curriculum, a parent engagement program, featuring teacher home visits for every student at the beginning of each year, and a history of building community partnerships to help meet our students’ needs. In 2011, we opened our first middle school -- Citizens Leadership Academy -- which boasts a hands-on innovative approach to learning, partnership with Expeditionary Learning Schools and Facing History and Ourselves.
Our Prep Schools are defined by the highly structured school culture found in many of our nation’s top-performing urban schools. Our K-5 schools focus on reading and math instruction, integrating technology, and features two teachers in each classroom. Our 6-8 schools feature a mentorship program, annual trip to Washington DC, and a unique entrepreneurship curriculum. Our Prep schools include:
Watch this video about how E Prep graduates use their experience to perform at the highest levels after E Prep:
History of the Prep Model: Our founding E Prep School -- Entrepreneurship Preparatory School -- opened in 2006 in response to the pressing need for more educational options for Cleveland’s families and children. Founded by proven local entrepreneurs, the school model features a highly disciplined school culture and academic curriculum which embraces the values hallmark to an entrepreneurial spirit, including: perseverance, responsibility, self-discipline, courage, respect, and choosing to see obstacles as opportunities. While The Prep Schools are unique in Cleveland, they are not an experiment. They are modeled after many very successful high performing urban charter schools in cities such as Boston, New York, Newark, Washington, D.C. and Chicago. The features that make The Prep Schools unique are actually the best-practices used at those high-performing schools. The Prep Schools have opened their second school -- Village Preparatory School -- in 2009, currently serving K-3 students, growing to K-5. And, The Prep schools are opening a second campus with a Village Prep & E Prep school in Woodland Hills.
Our Intergenerational Schools are defined by an innovative academic model that has earned national recognition for its unique, effective approach to education. These K-8 schools organize classes into multi-age clusters that align with children’s developmental stages. Our Intergenerational Schools create multigenerational learning communities, with senior mentors, to reinforce the philosophy that learning is a lifelong process.
The Intergenerational School Rated Excellent with Distinction Teach | Enroll | Learn More
Watch this video about the Intergenerational culture of learning, and how relationships are so critical to helping students excel:
And watch this video about our unique partnership between our schools and Judson Manor in Cleveland, Ohio:
History of the Intergenerational Model: Our founding school -- The Intergenerational School -- was recognized by the US Department of Education for using true educational innovation to close the achievement gap, and is the only K-8 charter school in Ohio with 6 years of Excellent ratings. The school’s philosophy is based on two mainstay ideas: learning occurs through relationships, and learning is a lifelong process. The innovative model incorporates a developmental curriculum and multi-age classrooms, in addition to a variety of regular learning activities with other community members, many of whom are senior citizens. TIS has been approached nationally and internationally by schools and organizations compelled by their unique, innovative model, and has received international grants to explore continued development of the intergenerational program. Our Near West Intergenerational School is our second Intergenerational School, and was spearheaded by a group of parents who wanted a high-quality free public school option in their community. NWIS is the first charter school to share a building with a district school -- we are especially proud of this progressive relationship. NWIS is founded on the same principles as our founding school, and led by many of the TIS faculty member who form our NWIS founding faculty.
About Breakthrough
Breakthrough Schools is the highest-performing network of free, public charter schools in Cleveland, Ohio. Our mission is to provide free, sustainable, high-quality public schools in Cleveland's under-served neighborhoods, ensuring all students have access to a public, free, outstanding college preparatory education. Read More
Friends of Breakthrough
Friends of Breakthrough Schools is our non-profit development and advocacy organization. Friends of Breakthrough is responsible for closing the gap in public funding we need to overcome each year, as well as working with community, business, and political leaders to build city-wide support for high-quality public school options for all children in Cleveland. Read More
