Mission and History
Summer on the Hill (SOH) is a year-round educational enrichment program dedicated to nurturing academically talented students whose socio-economic status prevents them from taking advantaged of New York City’s varied academic resources. As the only enrichment program in New York that recruits public school children beginning in the 2nd grade and works with them through high school, SOH provides an unparalleled educational opportunity for promising public school students in the Bronx and upper Manhattan.
SOH’s mission is to enrich the education of promising, disadvantaged public school students from the Bronx, Washington Heights, and Harlem, prepare them for admission to schools and colleges where they will have opportunities to develop their potential, and offer guidance to their parents.
“What I like about SOH is that we have classes of every subject with teachers who care about our education. Another thing I like is sports, because at least once a day, you need to exercise…SOH has changed me as a student in public school. When I go to school, my teachers pull me to the side and tell me how much I have improved. When they say that, I feel happy!” –Paulette, 5th grader
SOH on a tour of Vassar College
History
Established in 1994 as a summer experience for 21 public school students on the hillside campus of the Horace Mann School, SOH has grown tremendously under the direction of its founder and Executive Director, Dr. John McIvor. By 2008, its 15th anniversary year, SOH reached an annual enrollment of 190-200 students in its Grade 3-8 program, with 70 students participating in High School program. Highlights from SOH’s history include:
1995: SOH added academic-year Saturday morning classes for year-round enrichment and started its Grade 3-8 program.
1999: As students began to move up to high school, SOH started a High School Program.
2001: SOH added afternoon classes, free lunch and bussing to the Grade 3-8 Program.
2004: SOH was incorporated by the NY State Department of Education.
2005: SOH was certified as an independent 501(c)3 organization by the IRS.
2005: SOH received a major grant from Time Warner, and added enrichment and test prep classes, individualized college counseling, and college trips.
2006: SOH began participating in the NYC DOE Summer SchoolFood program and the NYS DOH Child and Adult Care Food program during the academic year. With a two-year grant from the New York Community Trust, SOH implemented a summer bridge-to-high school program for rising 9th graders.
2007: SOH received a two-year renewal grant from Time Warner for 2007-2009 to build on the 2005 expansion.
2009: SOH thanks all of its donors for helping SOH to reach its 15th anniversary year and providing essential academic classes and guidance to 750 students!
SOH is looking to the future by developing every child’s unique gifts. Our staff works with children individually at all levels of the program:
SOH grades 3, 4, and 5
• The Director of Recruitment and Admission supplements information received from exams and nominating schools by interviewing prospective students and their parents.
• Children learn in different ways, at different rates. SOH’s Dean of Students meets with students and/or parents to offer help in a particular subject.
• Each year, the Director of Placement works intensively to help families choose the school best suited for their 8th grader.
SOH grades 6, 7, and 8
• After students enroll in high school, the Director of the High School Program helps them maintain the competitive edge they gained through participation in SOH. Students attend academic workshops that help them prepare for the SATs and Regents exams, and improve their writing skills. The High School Program offers individual college counseling and feedback on the college essay.