Building Brighter Futures
Empowering Students in Chicago
High School Helpers is a nonprofit organization committed to aiding 7th and 8th graders in Chicago on their journey to selective high schools. We believe in fostering educational equity and enhancing community engagement for students in underserved neighborhoods by providing essential resources and support for successful high school enrollment.
Our Commitment to Education
Our Vision
We support elementary students in achieving the best route of high school education for them by fostering academic success through mentorship, guidance, and resources. By connecting successful Chicago high school students with elementary schools across the city, we create meaningful, direct learning experiences. Our high school mentors, who have completed the application process and are currently enrolled in their desired educational route, offer real-life insight, encouragement, and support, while we provide the tools and resources they need to help elementary students learn, grow, and prepare for high school.
Our Initiatives
Community Engagement
We support students and schools in the Chicago community in various ways. Discover how our initiatives foster academic success and community connection.
Tutoring
Education Access
We provide an extensive tutoring program based on and taught by high school students who have already gone through this process successfully. We aid students with preparing for the high school selective enrollment exam and with academics that they struggle with free of cost. Our goal is to help these students achieve their greatest potential and set them on a path that best suits them.
Mentoring
Guidance and Applying
We provide mentors for elementary school students in the process of high school applications in the form of experienced high school students. The high school mentors' purpose is to provide elementary students a new perspective and share their experiences of the process. They are also able to get to know the students on a deeper level and give advice on selecting a high school that most fits and matches with the student individually.
Workshops
Skill Development
Workshops and slideshows are provided to each HSH chapter. That allows some sessions to be focused on learning new skills instead of simply guiding students. They are written guides, tips, and skills that will be helpful to the elementary students throughout the process and well beyond high school. These resources can include study strategies, guidelines for selection processes, and more.
Homework Help
Academic Support
On top of preparing for the transition and enrollment process of high school, we also help students maintain and improve on their grades and studying habits, skills that are important and carried over to high school. Elementary students are encouraged to bring and work on difficult problems they have as high school students are prepared to work through the problems with them.