In our nation's capital only 69% of the 2018 cohort graduate high school on time. In many of the neighborhoods, Higher Achievement serves that number is much lower. That means that the bright, confident young smiles in the video above are half as likely to graduate high school on time.

Fortunately, they have Higher Achievement. 95% of Higher Achievement scholars graduate high school on time. That success is in no small part due to caring support and academic guidance that each scholar gets from their mentor.

Three years ago, I joined Higher Achievement at Ward 8 to be a mentor and help scholars succeed in Math. I started mentoring because I wanted to make a difference in a childs life. Now, I mentor because Tuesday is the best day of my week, and it is my privilege to be part of the Higher Achievement community. Ms. Claudia, Ward 8 Mentor.

More than 300 weekly mentors share Ms. Claudia commitment to our scholars. Now you can join them. Thanks to the generous support of a major partner, Bates White Economic Consulting, gifts to the Mentor Match Challenge, up to $10,000, will be matched! You could double your impact just like that.

To quote Ms. Claudia one more time "I mentor because Tuesday is the best day of my week, and it is my privilege to be part of the Higher Achievement community."

Ms. Claudia is a great example of the power of mentoring and a witness to the strength of Higher Achievement.

Help her and all her fellow mentors met their goal!