We’re thrilled to announce that Breakthrough has received support from Raising Travis County (RTC), a voter-approved initiative expanding access to affordable child care and high-quality out-of-school time programs. This investment will support the enrollment of 300 new middle school students this year to experience Breakthrough’s after-school, Saturday, and summer programming.
Each spring, our program team visits schools across Travis County to introduce students to Breakthrough’s 12-Year Experience. The first stop on their journey is the Middle School Summer Academy, our six-week enrichment program providing over 120 hours of instruction in core subjects. Students strengthen foundational skills, close opportunity gaps, and build confidence. They are taught by AmeriCorps Summer Teaching Fellows who nurture social-emotional growth, resilience, and a sense of purpose.
Learning goes far beyond the classroom. Students explore new interests through cooking, dance, sports, and arts and crafts, and visit college campuses like Texas State University, as well as innovative workplaces like Silicon Labs and AMD.
During the school year, students continue their growth through Middle School Saturday programs, where they deepen academic skills, collaborate with peers, and experience hands-on challenges like Crack the Code—an interactive, team-based mystery that builds critical thinking, communication, and leadership.
Breakthrough is honored to receive this investment to ensure students can participate in our high-quality out-of-school time activities. This partnership is more than funding—it’s a gateway to opportunity, growth, and discovery for students across Central Texas as they begin their Breakthrough Experience.
“Recruitment season is one of the most exciting times of year because it’s where big dreams first take root. Thanks to the support of partners like Raising Travis County, we can bring this opportunity directly to campuses and ensure that students who may not have always seen college as part of their story can begin to see it as their future.”
— Leslie Tucker, Chief Middle School Programs Officer