There is a unique type of magic that happens when a community decides to fully invest in its youth. At Elevate Phoenix, we frequently talk about “blazing a trail,” but we always remember that a trail is only useful if there is someone following behind, ready to learn from the steps already taken. This summer, our hearts could not be fuller or more overjoyed as we watch our graduating seniors step into their next major milestone: the R.I.S.E. College Bridge Summer Program.
R.I.S.E.—which stands for “Ready for an Inspired, Successful Education”—is our intentional answer to the infamous “summer slide,” an academic dip where students can lose up to 40% of what they learned during the school year. Instead of sliding backward, 41 ambitious high school graduates from Maryvale, Cesar Chavez, Camelback, and North High Schools are using their summer months to vault forward.
Building Bridges to Higher Education
In proud partnership with South Mountain Community College, the R.I.S.E. program provides a critical bridge between high school graduation and higher education. Over the course of the summer, these students dive deep into academic readiness, finalize their post-secondary plans, and earn six actual college credits before their freshman year even officially begins.
The metrics behind this initiative speak volumes about the power of targeted support. Historically, many of these resilient students leave high school navigating immense hurdles, carrying an average GPA of 1.78. However, after immersing themselves in the R.I.S.E. program, our cohorts begin their college careers with an astounding average GPA of 3.9. Furthermore, completion of the R.I.S.E. program drives a phenomenal 90% college retention rate. This massive leap is a testament to what happens when we replace institutional barriers with a consistent, loving presence that says, “I see you, I value you, and you are worthy of every ounce of effort we give”.
Honoring the Steps Already Taken
The academic triumphs we see in R.I.S.E. do not happen in a vacuum. They are built on a continuous foundation of community mentorship. Just a few months ago, these exact seniors sat across from seasoned professionals at our 14th Annual Senior Career Day, hosted right at South Mountain Community College. During that event, career mentors did more than just pass out business cards; they shared their authentic stories—the setbacks, the pivots, and the real-world roadmaps.
The wisdom gained during Career Day gave our seniors the professional confidence and curiosity they needed to step boldly into the college environment. It established a clear line of sight toward their future careers, ensuring that 100% of our graduating class has a concrete post-secondary plan across college, trade schools, the military, or the workforce.
Full-Circle Moments That Change Lives
The ultimate goal of Elevate Phoenix is to create an unbroken pipeline of leadership. As our R.I.S.E. students complete their summer courses and transition into their freshman year, they transition into our vibrant Alumni network.
This is where the true “full-circle” transformation takes place. Many of the alumni who once sat in these exact summer classrooms return to serve as workshop leaders, networkers, and volunteers. They become the very mentors who look at the next generation of youth and help them write their own chapters of success.
When you invest in Elevate Phoenix, you aren’t just funding a summer class; you are fueling a 24/7/365 mentorship model that stays with a student through life’s toughest moments and highest peaks. Congratulations to our current R.I.S.E. cohort—you are the future of our community, and we cannot wait to watch you soar!
Gratitude for our Partners
Events like this are only possible because of the strength of our community.
A heartfelt thank you to Shasta Pools, Carlisle Company, and our Elevate Executive and Development Boards. Your continued support ensures we can provide opportunities that truly change lives.
Looking Forward: Investing in Our Shared Future
As we move into a new year, we are so grounded in gratitude and strengthened by unity. The success of this past year belongs to every donor, volunteer, mentor, and partner who continues to believe in
our students.
When we invest in our kids, we invest in the future of our entire community.
Our work doesn’t end it begins again with every new student who walks through our doors.
Thank you for believing in our students. Thank you for being part of this journey.
Join Us
Let’s make next year even brighter.
Support our Students today and help us continue investing in tomorrow.
With gratitude,
Elevate Phoenix Team
