Parent FAQ

Introduction to the Leadership Academy begins with the 9th grade RISE program. Open to all 9th graders who have participated in the CHV summer camp, the RISE program is designed to build a foundation of critical thinking, self-advocacy, and perseverance. 

RISE serves as a prerequisite to the Leader in Training (LIT) program. Teens who are not interested in becoming a LIT can still participate in RISE!

The LIT program is a three year commitment building upon the foundation laid in the RISE program. LITs dive into three main areas of focus: College Preparation, Trades & Certificate Program Preparation, and Business Leadership. This year-round curriculum for 10th-12th graders builds upon the knowledge of the year before, while increasing in depth and hands-on exploration.

Enrollment opens in the spring (end of your child’s 8th grade school year) and closes in early fall or when the program capacity of 100 young people is reached.  Enrollment is offered each year on a rolling basis, so the sooner you express interest in participating the greater the chance you have of successful enrollment. 

Young people interested in the LIT program must first complete the 9th Grade RISE program. If they meet both attendance and participation requirements for RISE, they will be invited to interview for one of 45 positions in the entering class. This is the only way to join the LIT program. There is not an opportunity to enroll in subsequent years. The LIT interviews take place annually during April vacation week and LITs are notified by early May if they have or have not been accepted into the program.  

Acceptance into the LIT program is based upon many factors and considerations including the completed application and short essay questions, interview, program attendance and participation, as well as the impacts to economic mobility and overall health and wellness that program continuation may have on the young leader and their family.

No. Our summer camp program enrolls middle school youth. CHV campers are entering 6-9 grades each year. If you would like support in finding other summer opportunities for teens in high school, please reach out to our Family Services team!

No. The Leadership Academy consists of the RISE and Leader in Training programs. After completing RISE in 9th grade, young people must be offered a LIT position to continue participating in our program in 10th-12th grade.

No. Young people are not compensated financially for their participation in the RISE program.

Yes. LITs receive a stipend that increases as they move through the program. During the school year, LITs are paid a small stipend for program participation that is distributed monthly. LITs participating in the Leadership Academy’s Summer Learning Intensive receive a bi-weekly stipend.

Young leaders are required to attend 80% of program community nights and 80% of Saturday monthly workshops. Young leaders may submit an extracurricular waiver to have absences excused due to academic/educational/sports commitments. A young leader will not be excused for more than 40% of community nights. If a young leader will miss more than 50% of community nights they may be removed from the Roster and will have to reapply for the following program term. 

80% of 30 weeks of programming = 6 unexcused absences. Unexcused absences will be used when considering a young leader for summer employment and scholarship awards. Young leaders must attend no less than 7 of the 8 Saturday workshops. 

Participation is active involvement. We expect our young leaders to actively engage in programming. Sleeping, roaming, and/or leaving the program space without permission is not acceptable and will result in the young leader being marked as absent for the day. 

We expect participants to make every effort to be present at all Leadership Academy programs. However, we understand that isn’t always possible. Participants should communicate absences to their program lead as early as possible.

Community Nights occur each week on a designated weeknight. The teen center is accessible Monday-Thursday 3:00pm-7:00pm for community nights. Community Night programming will be held from 5:00pm-6:30pm. Those arriving after 5:00pm or leaving before 6:30pm must communicate with their program coordinator or they will be marked absent.

Saturday workshops are 9:30am-12:30pm or 1:00pm-4:00pm for RISE and 9:30am- 1:00pm for LITs. Workshops occur once per month on a Saturday for a three-hour time block and dive deeper into the content introduced that month.

No. Participants do not need to be present for the full time range on their Community Night. The requirement for attendance credit is to be present for the programming portion of the evening which typically runs from 5:00pm-6:30pm. The time from 3:00 – 5:00pm is open for homework support and connecting with peers. Once teens arrive for evening programs, they must remain in the building until programming ends or they are dismissed by a parent/guardian.

No. Given that participants come from across the city and various METCO programs, we are not able to coordinate and provide transportation during the school year. However, our South End location at 46 Plympton Street is accessible through public transportation and many young people utilize rideshare options.

Parents/guardians will indicate on permission slips if their young leader(s) will be picked-up, will drive themselves, order a rideshare, or will be permitted to take public transportation. CHV staff shall be notified if/when the transportation choice changes.

We do our best to ensure all parents have all of the information necessary to make informed decisions for their child throughout the school year. If you have a question about CHV programs not answered on this website or in the Leadership Academy handbook, please feel free to send us a message to connect with a member of our team!