Timeline

1989:

The Latin School and Francis W. Parker School start High Jump with 16 students and full funding from the Lloyd A. Fry Foundation.
Often the only difference between our success and utter failure is the presence of people in our lives who dare to believe in our possibility… Programs like High Jump are necessary because the playing field continues to be incredibly uneven… Beneficiaries of programs like High Jump are usually the ones who beat the odds.

— Michelle Obama, October 2006

1991:

The first students graduate from High Jump.

1994:

Cohort size increases to 40.

1995:

High Jump Cohort 1 enters college.

1996:

The Latin School assumes sole responsibility for High Jump.

1999:

Cohort 1 graduates from college; Cohort 11 enters program.

2000:

Community service and exam preparation are added to the curriculum. High Jump graduates matriculate to more than 40 different parochial, public, independent day and boarding schools.

2001:

High Jump becomes an independent non-profit corporation.

The Latin School of Chicago continues to serve as the program host, contributing the use of the school’s facilities and other support.

High Jump expands its Board of Trustees, as well as its outreach to diverse sources of support.

2002:

High Jump obtains $75,000 challenge grant from Kenny's Kids to increase cohort size to 65.

Collaboration between High Jump and Cornell University for summer engineering seminars begins.

2004:

High Jump celebrates 15 years of service.

Richard J. Almeida Award is established to honor extraordinary dedication and contribution to High Jump. Richard Almeida, High Jump’s founding board chair, is the first recipient.

2005:

Cohort 17 is the largest cohort even to enter High Jump with 68 students.

Mayor Richard M. Daley’s Chief of Staff, Ron Huberman delivers the keynote address and is named the first honorary High Jump fellow.

Shelley Greenwood receives the Richard J. Almeida Award.

A Mayoral Proclamation is issued in honor of High Jump and delivered at High Jump’s benefit, An Evening of Laughter.

2006:

City of Chicago First Ward Alderman Manny Flores delivers the keynote address at The Moving Up Ceremony and is named the second honorary High Jump fellow.

Richard E. Rothkopf receives the Richard J. Almeida Award.

The Cornell University summer program is expanded to include concentrations in literature, math and theater.

Proclamations for Governor Rod Blagojevich and Mayor of Chicago Richard M. Daley are issued in honor of High Jump and delivered at High Jump’s benefit, An Evening of Laughter.

The pilot phase of the program evaluation is complete.

Michelle Obama served as Honorary Chair for High Jump’s first annual Thought Leadership Luncheon at the Chicago Club featuring a keynote address by educational expert, Dr. Mel Levine.