Breakthrough Miami and Gulliver Schools has announced a partnership that will give motivated students from low-income backgrounds expanded access to high-level learning opportunities.
Breakthrough Miami soon will begin using Gulliver’s classrooms and other educational facilities to provide summer and Saturday enrichment classes and activities to high-achieving public-school students. Gulliver’s dedication of facilities and educational resources will help Breakthrough Miami students prepare for and succeed in college, with the goal of closing the “achievement gap” between students from affluent families and those from under-resourced backgrounds.
Ultimately, the Gulliver Prep campus at 6575 N. Kendall Dr. will serve 180 additional students from southwest Miami-Dade County.
Breakthrough Miami currently serves more than 1,100 fifth grade through 12th grade students who attend schools throughout Miami-Dade County, offering enrichment using a highly successful peer-mentoring model.
Many of Breakthrough Miami’s students face multiple challenges associated with failure to graduate high school on time. During the past five years, more than 80 percent of its graduates have entered four-year colleges, compared with 22 percent of low-income students nationwide.
Gulliver, known for its personalized approach to rigorous college-prep academics, is the sixth independent school to join the Breakthrough Miami network, which already operates year-round enrichment programs at Ransom Everglades School, Palmer Trinity School, Miami Country Day School, Carrollton School of the Sacred Heart and the University of Miami.
“Gulliver’s deep community roots and unique programs are a perfect fit for Breakthrough Miami’s network of private schools with a public purpose,” said Elissa Vanaver, CEO of Breakthrough Miami. “Together, we’re opening doors for all students willing to dream big and work hard. For every student we touch, there’s a family with an opportunity to live a better life.”
Frank Steel, Gulliver’s head of schools, added, “Since our founding, part of the mission of Gulliver Schools has been to help students achieve their fullest potential. It is a privilege to help Breakthrough Miami extend that mission to even more South Florida students.
“Gulliver is honored to join other top-rated independent institutions in helping these bright students and furthering Breakthrough Miami’s mission of narrowing economic achievement gaps.” he added.
