Northfield Mount Hermon Partnerships

Upward Bound
The Upward Bound Program at NMH is one of the federally funded TRIO programs (Department of Education) designed to provide low-income students with the skills and motivation they need to succeed in high school and in college.

Summer Academy (mid-June to early August)
87 students from Holyoke, Springfield, and Franklin County attend the six-week Summer Academy on the NMH campus. Students take a challenging course of study (30 hours of classes per week) designed to develop and strengthen English, math, science, and world language skills.

Students learn study skills, test taking strategies and college application skills. Students participate in athletic and cultural trips and activities. The curriculum and activities have a strong social justice focus. Students live in dorms, preparing them for college life.

Academic-Year Program (September – May) 
Weekly academic advising is provided to each student at his or her school. Tutoring is provided twice a week in each school. Classes on SAT prep, critical thinking, the college search, college visits, interviewing skills, financial aid applications are offered throughout the year. Intensive assistance is provided to students and parents throughout the college and financial aid application process. Students participate in 50 hours of community service each year.

Athena Project
In an effort to promote collaboration and professional development between schools, Northfield Mount Hermon in partnership with the Eight Schools Association,  launched the Athena Project.  Supported by an E.E. Ford grant, the project involves an online platform for sharing curriculum (questions, activities, assignments, etc.) and person-to-person programs at schools for teachers to discuss and improve their work.  Currently in a testing phase, the Athena Project will grow in the coming years and is looking for schools or individuals who are interested in creating, sharing, and improving open education resources.   At a high level, the project aims to help establish a dynamic professional memory for the field of education.  At a practical level, it aims to provide teachers the resources they need on a day-to-day basis.