Next Generation has developed a suite of exceptional educational opportunities for young men:

• A signature extended day (after school) educational program for middle-school aged boys that extends the school day by 3-4 hours, combining academic coaching, fitness training and team sports (first pilot school site in 2007).
• A summer leadership institute and high school preparatory program for middle-school aged boys (to be launched by summer 2008).
• Transitional seminars for boys (and their parents) moving from elementary to middle/junior high school and from middle school to high school (spring 2007).
• A special website featuring local and national extended learning programs, summer programs, recognition programs, and college scholarship, grant, internship and fellowship programs (fall 2008).
• Seminars, activities, and events for young men and their parents.
• Action Research: Longitudinal research on the effectiveness and outcomes of Next Generation’s strategies to inform our practice, replication and the practice of others (with launch of first after school site).

Steppin’ Up After School Program
The Steppin’ Up Program is a school-based after school program that will provide young men in grades 6 through 8 with high quality academic coaching, fitness training, academic advising and career awareness. The program will be guided by experienced professionals in education, fitness and sports, and will focus on the educational, physical and social development of young men. Next Generation will establish partnerships with middle and junior high schools in the District of Columbia and Prince Georges County, Maryland that have high concentrations of Black males. Steppin’ Up is designed to nurture and support adolescent boys’ pursuit of academic excellence, connection to school, interest in personal fitness and sports, need for physical activity, and their need to develop healthy lifestyle practices and quality relationships with their peers and adults.

Middle and High School Transitional Seminars
Annually in the spring, Next Generation will offer transitional seminars aimed at preparing rising 6th graders and 9th graders for middle school and high school. Next Generation will target elementary schools that feed into the middle schools where Next Generation’s Steppin’ Up program is located. We will also work collaboratively with high schools where Next Generation’s 8th graders will matriculate to assist them and their parents with the transition from middle school to high school, and with course planning.

The Summer Bridge Leadership & Academic Immersion Institute
This summer learning experience will house Steppin’ Up participants on a college campus for 6 weeks. The program will emphasize extended learning in mathematics, language arts, science and social-cultural issues, and will work with students to improve their writing, public speaking, and study skills.  This program is projected to begin during the summer of 2008 or 2009, depending on available resources, quality partnership opportunities with a suitable college or university, and adequate planning time.

Special Programs & Events
Commensurate with the interests and needs of our students, Next Generation will arrange special educational and recreational opportunities, field trips, and events during the school year and summers. Specific activities will be up to the discretion of program leadership once the Foundation and Steppin’ Up program are fully operational.

Resource Website
Next Generation will develop a website that will serve families locally and nationally who are looking for programs to enroll their young men in during the school year and summers. Next Generation will seek to establish partnerships with organizations, corporations and educational institutions who wish to target young men of color for their athletic/arts, extended learning, pre-college, summer and special/recognition programs. Additionally, this website will feature internships, scholarships, fellowships, grants and interactive resources for young men and their parents who are preparing for college and seeking financial assistance.