Achievers

The YMCA Achievers is a college readiness and career exploration program which provides teens with the essential tools to pursue higher education and to identify different career opportunities.

$50 Program Fee covers Achievers typically meets the 1st & 3rd Saturdays of each month. If you are interested in joining this program, please e-mail Association Teen Director, Sierra Roundtree sroundtree@myy.org

Register for 2025-26 School Year

Program Description

Achievers is a national college and career readiness program, delivered by the Y, that supports students in setting and reaching higher education and career goals. Today, there are more than 300 Y Achievers programs operating across the country. The program is geared toward first-generation college students and minorities and is delivered through workshops, college tours, Toastmasters, STEM, and more. Currently, students from 49 different high schools throughout the Greater Cincinnati region are being served.

OUR APPROACH

Through a multifaceted approach, Y Achievers incorporates the engagement framework of Core Program Components, the Five Pillars, and the Y Achievers Curriculum, based on the University of Chicago’s 6to16™.

The Need

  • 35-40% of students who enroll in college drop out in the first semester
  • For African-American and Hispanic students, the graduation rate is less than 75%
  • 36% of Cincinnati residents 25 years older have some college or earned a bachelor’s or associate’s degree
  • Among students who do graduate, 1/3 need remedial courses in college and far too few go on to earn a college degree

Outcomes

After going through the program, students are prepared to enter college. Some of the outcomes are as follows:

  • 100% of seniors graduate from high school
  • 80% increase their knowledge in college readiness material
  • 80% of seniors take the PSAT, ACT, SAT, and Compass
  • 80% of seniors complete a FAFSA application
  • 80% of seniors receive at least one letter of acceptance to higher education
  • 80% increase their exposure to career options through the career clusters
  • 70% increase their knowledge in financial literacy
  • 80% enroll in higher education after high school

 

YMCA of Greater Cincinnati