RISE is a school-year program for 9th Graders that prepares young people for their high school experience and 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 with year-round programs for 10th-12th graders including a summer job at Camp Harbor View and school-year programs focused on post-secondary planning.
With the health and safety of teens and staff as our top priority, we are working diligently to safely operate in-person Leadership Academy programs throughout the school year. We’ve assembled this page to provide accurate and detailed information for parents about the RISE and LIT program structures. We will continue to update enrolled Leadership Academy families with the latest information as we work with healthcare professionals to monitor Covid-19 developments.
What is the difference between the RISE and LIT programs?
When does the application for the RISE program open?
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 done on a rolling basis, so the sooner you complete the application, the sooner your child will be enrolled. Andrew Davids, the 9th Grade RISE Program Manager, will confirm via email when your child is enrolled in the program.
How does my child apply to become an LIT?
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.
Can my child be a camper again after RISE or if they don’t become an LIT?
No. Our summer camp program enrolls middle school youth (campers are rising 6th – rising 9th graders). If you would like support in finding other summer opportunities teens in high school, please contact our Community Resource Coordinator, Darliya Bennett.
Can my child participate in Leadership Academy programs as a 10th grader if they aren’t selected to be an LIT for the summer?
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.
Are RISE participants paid a stipend for their participation?
No. Young people are not compensated financially for their participation in the RISE program.
Are LITs paid a stipend for their participation in the program?
Yes. During the school year, LITs are paid a small stipend for participation in monthly Saturday workshops and, during the summer, LITs receive a bi-weekly stipend that increases as they move through the program.
What are the attendance policies for the RISE & LIT programs?
RISE participants must attend 75% of both Community Nights and Workshops. If you are interested in interviewing for an LIT position, you must meet the attendance requirement for RISE to be eligible.
LITs are required to attend 80% of both Community Nights and Workshops. Meeting the LIT attendance requirement as a 10th and 11th grader will earn you a summer LIT position. Meeting the LIT attendance requirement as a 12th grader will earn you the opportunity to apply for a scholarship toward your post-secondary plan.
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 and they will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
We offer one Sports / Activity Waiver per participant each year. Participants can only submit this form once per year even if they participate in multiple other activities. If the program schedule feels challenging, we encourage you to reach out prior to the start of programming.
What is the difference between Community Nights and Workshops?
Community Nights occur each week on a designated weeknight from 3:00 – 7:00pm, with programming scheduled from 5:00 – 6:30pm. These nights include team building or curriculum focused content. Workshops occur once per month on a Saturday for a 3-hour time block and dive deeper into the content that was introduced that month.
Community Nights runs from 3:00 – 7:00pm. Does my child need to be there for the full time?
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 5:00 – 6:30p. 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.
Does Camp Harbor View provide transportation to the teen center for Leadership Academy programming?
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 ride share options.
What if I have a question not answered on this page?
We will continue to do our best to ensure that parents have all of the facts necessary to make informed decisions for their child throughout the school year. If you have a question not answered on this FAQ page, please review the 2021-22 Program Details for additional information on this year’s Leadership Academy or send us a message to connect with a member of our team!