Step Up programming is facilitated by an on-campus educator who helps teens explore careers, strengthen their social-emotional skills, and connect to mentorship opportunities and developmental experiences in their communities.
For Teens
Step Up on Campus
Step Up on Campus is a national evidence-based supplemental high school program for teens (ages 14-18).
See below to learn more about the curriculum, meet our students, and support our programming!
Want to mentor Step Up teens at a high school in your city? Explore opportunities in Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, Nashville, and New York. No prior experience is required!
About
2022-2023 school year by the numbers:
- 817 unique teens
- 21 school partners
- 508 unique mentors
- 750 hours of mentorship
2023-2024 school year curriculum:
- 12 weeks of social emotional learning through a career exploration lens
- 1 corporate field trip
- 1 week on financial literacy
- 1 week on mental health and well-being
Mentor Step Up Teens
Ready to make a difference in the lives of Step Up teens and guide them as they boldly walk the path to their unique visions of success? Click below to register for Step Up on Campus sessions in your local community.
Spring 2025 Participating School Partners
Atlanta
Booker T. Washington High School
Drew Charter School
Maynard Holbrook Jackson High School
Mount Zion High School
St. Mountain High School
Chicago
Argo Community High School
John F. Kennedy High School
Kenwood Academy
Muchin College Prep
Ogden International High School
Dallas
Uplift Grand Preparatory
Uplift Infinity Preparatory
Uplift Luna Preparatory - Secondary
Uplift North Hills Preparatory
Uplift Wisdom Preparatory
Los Angeles
Alliance Gertz-Ressler High School
Alliance Margaret M. Bloomfield High School
Alliance Dr. Olga Mohan High School
Alliance Patti & Peter Neuwirth Leadership Academy
Alliance Susan & Eric Smidt Technology High School
Ednovate - East College Prep
Nashville
John Overton High School
Maplewood High School
Stratford STEM Magnet High School - Upper Campus
Whites Creek
New York
Brooklyn Emerging Leaders Academy Charter High School
East Bronx Academy
Port Richmond High School
The Charter High School for Law & Social Justice
The Young Women's Leadership School of Astoria
Support Step Up’s Class of 2024
$1,500
Support programming for one class of high school seniors.
$500
Support programming for three high school seniors.
$150
Support programming for one high school senior.
$25
Provide supplies for one session of career preparation programming.
Step Up Class of 2024 - Atlanta
Sequoia
Maynard Jackson High School
Plans to attend Savannah State
Says Step Up allowed them to "always have someone to talk to when [they] need it."
Saniyah
Maynard Jackson High School
Plans to attend Mercer University
Says Step Up gave them the chance to meet new people.
Adams
Maynard Jackson High School
Plans to attend Atlanta Tech
Says Step Up supported them with setting life goals.
Kaseiana
Maynard Jackson High School
Plans to attend Georgia State
Says Step Up helped them build relationships.
Brankiria
Maynard Jackson High School
Plans to attend Fort Valley University
"[Step Up] empowered me to be a better person."
Norma
Maynard Jackson High School
Plans to attend Fort Valley University
Says Step Up helped them define their core values.
Zaiqujiah
Maynard Jackson High School
Plans to attend Fort Valley University
"[Step Up] increased my self esteem."
Sani
Maynard Jackson High School
Plans to attend North Carolina A&T
"[Step Up] helped to be able to express myself and open up to others."
Ty'Neisha
Maynard Jackson High School
Plans to attend Fort Valley University
Says Step Up helped them make connections with their peers.
Mariah
Maynard Jackson High School
Plans to attend Georgia State University
Says Step Up gave them someone to talk to.
Demetria
Maynard Jackson High School
Plans to join the military service
Says Step Up helped them connect with peers.
Jazmin
Maynard Jackson High School
Plans to attend cosmetology and culinary school
Says Step Up was their support system.
Royal
Maynard Jackson High School
Plans to attend Devry University
"[Step Up] helped me be more open to people and learn how to trust others."
Angela
Drew Charter High School
Plans to attend Florida State University
"[Step Up] showed me new opportunities in work and college."
Step Up Class of 2024 - Chicago
Isabella
Chicago Academy High School
Plans to join the military service
Says her Step Up campus leader is always helpful and kind.
Joanna
Chicago Academy High School
Plans to attend University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign
"[Step Up] built a sense of community and safety."
Taylor
Ogden International High School
Plans to attend Valparaiso University
"Step Up has supported me in empowering my fellow female peers and it has supported me in going to college to achieve my dreams of becoming a doctor."
Morgan
Ogden International High School
Plans to attend University of Wisconsin-Madison
"Step Up has supported me through high school by being there for me and helping me this past year."
Kristin
Ogden International High School
Plans to attend Bradley University
Says Step Up helped them meet new people.
Kaylie
Ogden International High School
Plans to attend Northern Illinois University
"Step Up has made me figure out my goals for the future."
Kiya
Ogden International High School
Plans to attend Malcolm X College
"[Step Up] has helped me make new friends."
Kaitlyn
Ogden International High School
Plans to attend Indiana University - Bloomington
Says Step Up was fun.
Diamond
Ogden International High School
Plans to attend DePaul University
"Step Up has helped me socialize and plan more for my future."
Kris
Ogden International High School
Plans to attend Harold Washington
"Step Up has motivated me and showed me how to be a better person and makes me feel included."
Ruby
Ogden International High School
Plans to attend University of Illinois at Chicago
"[Step Up] gave me a a space to talk about careers, goals, visions, emotions, and personal health."
Step Up Class of 2024 - Dallas
Aniyah
Uplift Hampton Preparatory
Plans to attend TAMUC
"[Step Up] motivated me to become who I am today."
Summer
Uplift Hampton Preparatory
Plans to attend Texas A&M Commerce
Says Step Up was a peaceful and safe space.
Tiyona
Uplift Hampton Preparatory
Plans to attend Sam Houston State University
Says Step Up helped them with organization and self-reflection.
Diamond
Uplift Hampton Preparatory
Plans to attend Texas Woman’s University
Says Step Up allowed them to check in with themself.
Avi
Uplift Hampton Preparatory
Plans to attend University of North Texas
"[Step Up] helped me with my budget in my career."
Imani
Uplift Hampton Preparatory
Plans to attend Dallas Baptist University
Says that Step Up has provided them with a safe space.
Somali
Uplift Infinity Preparatory
Plans to attend UTA
"Step Up has not only given me a safe space where I can feel included but I am provided with sources to guide me through my future."
Jazmin
Uplift Infinity Preparatory
Plans to attend Midwestern State
"[Step Up] showed me women's leadership in different careers."
Andrea
Uplift Infinity Preparatory
Plans to attend Babson College
Step up allowed them to "meet role models that inspired [them] to go into the business route."
Luna
Uplift Luna Preparatory
Plans to explore new employment opportunities
"[Step Up] has helped me understand more about myself."
Florence
Uplift Luna Preparatory
Plans to attend Hope College
"The most important way Step Up has supported me was giving me information that I will be able to use in my daily life."
Tessie
Uplift Luna Preparatory
Plans to attend University of North Texas
"[Step Up] has helped me decide what career I want in the future."
Fernanda
Uplift Luna Preparatory
Plans to attend Texas Woman’s University
"[Step Up] has given me a space to be comfortable in and has made me figure out what I want in life."
Evelyn
Uplift Luna Preparatory
Plans to attend Texas Woman’s University
"[Step Up] has helped me by supporting and encouraging me to find the correct career and also by helping me explore different options."
Janyce
Uplift Luna Preparatory
Plans to attend University of Texas at San Antonio
Says Step Up allowed them to be themself and explore new skills.
Nayeli
Uplift Luna Preparatory
Plans to attend College of Saint Benedict
Says Step Up allowed them to reflect on many different career options.
Gabriela
Uplift Luna Preparatory
Plans to attend Texas A&M in Commerce
Says Step Up gave them a place to be themself.
Nevaeh
Uplift Luna Preparatory
Plans to attend University of Houston
"[Step Up] has helped me develop a sense of community in my last year of school with a nice group of girls."
Niyibimpa
Uplift Luna Preparatory
Plans to attend University of North Texas
"Step Up has encouraged me to step out of my comfort zone and start believing in doing the unknown. It also allowed me to find a group of women who care as much for education as I do."
Aishah
Uplift North Hills Preparatory
Plans to attend Texas A&M
"[Step Up] has helped me through navigating the different fields of medicine and other career fields."
Tulasi
Uplift North Hills Preparatory
Plans to attend Texas A&M
Says Step Up helped them collaborate with others.
Varunya
Uplift North Hills Preparatory
Plans to attend Texas A&M
"[Step Up] helped me connect with many amazing career-oriented women!"
Sai
Uplift North Hills Preparatory
Plans to attend UT Austin
"[Step Up] guided me through having a balanced life and creating a successful career pathway for me."
Deeksha
Uplift North Hills Preparatory
Plans to attend University of Texas at Dallas
Says Step Up offered them positive mentorship.
Don’Chell
Uplift Wisdom Preparatory
Plans to attend Dallas College
"[Step Up] helped me open up more."
De’Aundrea
Uplift Wisdom Preparatory
Plans to attend Austin College
"[Step Up] has helped me open up."
Step Up Class of 2024 - Los Angeles
Kimberly
Alliance Gertz Ressler High School
Plans to attend UC Santa Barbara
"[Step Up has] given me a sense of community."
Daniela
Alliance Gertz Ressler High School
Plans to attend Scripps College
"[Step Up] has shown me many different career paths."
Vanesa
Alliance Gertz Ressler High School
Plans to attend SMC
"[Step Up] has helped me know more about myself and the goals I want to set up."
Daisy
Alliance Gertz Ressler High School
Plans to attend USC
Step Up has offered her "support and insight on possible careers."
Abigail
Alliance Gertz Ressler High School
Plans to attend Mount Saint Mary’s University
"Step Up has walked me through what life after high school might look like and they have made me comfortable in expressing myself."
Elisabeth
Alliance Gertz Ressler High School
Plans to attend UCLA
Says that Step Up has helped them set and achieve their goals.
Jessenia
Alliance Gertz Ressler High School
Plans to attend Santa Monica College
Step Up helped them "step out of [their] comfort zone."
Natalie
Alliance Gertz Ressler High School
Plans to attend Dominguez Hills
Says Step Up helped them with their future plans.
Jazmin
Alliance Gertz Ressler High School
Plans to attend UC Irvine
"Step Up has made me more confident in myself and made me want to advocate for myself."
Cindy
Alliance Gertz Ressler High School
Plans to attend UCSD
"Step Up has helped me come out of my shell and taught me how to express myself verbally with others."
Gabriela
Alliance Gertz Ressler High School
Plans to attend Stanford University
"[Step Up] helped me throughout my high school career in finding out who I am personally, academically, and mentally."
Ana
Alliance Gertz Ressler High School
Plans to attend CSUN
"[Step Up] helped me view things differently and socialize more."
Darlene
Alliance Gertz Ressler High School
Plans to attend UC Santa Cruz
Says Step Up motivated them.
Yvette
Alliance Gertz Ressler High School
Plans to attend UCLA
"I have been able to become more confident in my communication skills."
Alondra
Alliance Gertz Ressler High School
Plans to attend Mount Saint Mary’s University, Los Angeles
"[Step Up] has allowed me to make friendships and grow confident within myself."
Angelica
Alliance Gertz Ressler High School
Plans to attend CSUDH
Says Step Up helped them find themself and their personality.
Jennifer
Alliance Gertz Ressler High School
Plans to attend CSULB
"[Step Up] informed us about careers and our strengths."
Sarai
Alliance Gertz Ressler High School
Plans to attend Cal State University Fullerton
"The most important way Step Up has supported me during high school is by being more confident."
Katelynn
Alliance Gertz Ressler High School
Plans to attend Dominguez Hills
"[Step Up supported me] by having a place to be myself with people I feel comfortable with."
Grecia
Alliance Neuwirth High School
Plans to attend UC Irvine
"Step-Up has supported me during my high school years by teaching me the ways of finance as well as skills and how and where my skills can be applied in different ways."
Step Up Class of 2024 - Nashville
Jasmine
Maplewood High
Plans to attend Fisk University
"[Step Up] helped me to learn social skills and what to do when upset."
Faith
Maplewood High
Plans to attend Belmont University
Says Step Up gave them a support group for academics.
Markia
Maplewood High
Plans to attend Nashville State
"[Step Up] helped me by letting be myself."
Mych’Keriya
Maplewood High
Plans to attend Alabama A&M University
Says Step Up helped them hear other points of view.
Shakira
Maplewood High
Plans to attend Alabama A&M University
"[Step Up] helped me make sure I was on top of my work."
2022-2023 School Year Impact
Student Reflections
“I learned more about myself, how I want to spend my high school years, and how certain things can help me in the future when applying to college. My favorite activity was looking through careers and identifying what I am interested in.” - Marilyn
“I feel as if I gained a bigger sister I never had.” - Samaya
“Thanks for coming into my life. With your help, I now know what I really want to do in the future. This program should keep happening all the time.” - Ruby
"I enjoyed the aspects of learning about careers and getting creative. I felt like I was able to step out of my comfort zone" – Alexa
"My favorite topics were the talks about college and careers. Something I gained from Step Up was more clarity on what I want in the future/upcoming years." - Abigail
"[Step Up] guided me into looking at new careers and different paths I can take considering my own personal tastes." - Lesly
Step Up on Campus Supporters
Brown Trust
Dwight Stuart Youth Fund
Frog Crossing Foundation
Kia America
PwC
Ulta Beauty
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