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Step Up helps 9th through 12th graders transition to and through their high èßäÊÓƵ careers. Every year, Step Up keeps over 400 amazing kids in èßäÊÓƵ and thriving academically at three Portland Public high èßäÊÓƵs: Roosevelt, Madison, and Franklin. 

Our èßäÊÓƵ are personally supported by a Step Up Advocate all year through comprehensive tutoring, strength-based advocacy, emotional support, character-building workshops, and family engagement activities.

Step Up Advocates challenges youth to identify their aspirations in a 3-day summer leadership academy and commit to working together towards those goals. Leadership and team-building activities reinforce èßäÊÓƵ’ understanding of their capacity to achieve their dreams through education and hard work, all with the support of an Advocate. 

These self-defined goals form the basis for their participation in Step Up throughout the following year. By the end of camp, èßäÊÓƵ and their Advocates have developed close relationships based on a mutual commitment to success in high èßäÊÓƵ.

Step Up Advocates partner with the èßäÊÓƵ to offer after-èßäÊÓƵ tutoring from 3:30 to 5:30 pm- Monday through Thursday, continued leadership development, and close social/emotional support in small “Advocate groups” of around 15 Step Up youth. 

Students work closely with their advocate/mentor, who engages with parents to share student progress and provide holistic support. In addition, Step Up partners with teachers and èßäÊÓƵ staff to support student’s academic growth. At the end of the year, èßäÊÓƵ receive one elective credit for participating in Step Up.