As we move through another promising school year, we want to take a moment to reflect on the remarkable summer experiences of our KIPP DC Scholars. This year, we’re incredibly proud of our NAF Academy students, who spent their summer participating in enriching programs and internships that expanded their horizons and set them up for future success.
Keith’s Journey as an OSSE Summer Scholar
One of our standout students, Keith, was selected as an OSSE Summer Scholar, which gave him the incredible opportunity to spend two weeks at Syracuse University. While there, Keith embraced the college experience and took a thought-provoking course on the “Sociology of Sex and Gender,” earning three college credits.
“The experience was amazing and reinforced what I want to do in college,” Keith said. I enjoyed making learning, making connections, connections and experiencing the individualism and social responsibility that comes with being a college student.”
Gaining Professional Insights through Accenture Internships
Meanwhile, Rau’Kiyah, Donyae, and Jaquan were among KIPP DC students who completed internships with Accenture, gaining invaluable professional experience. Throughout the summer, these students were immersed in a corporate environment, honing essential skills in networking, time management, and project presentation.
Each intern participated in a team capstone project addressing a real-world issue. Rau’Kiyah and Donyae chose to tackle the water crisis in Flint and Detroit, proposing the use of sensors to detect harmful chemicals in school water supplies. Their creativity and commitment to this the internship opportunity and their dedication to community safety.
Jaquan, another intern at Accenture, worked on a project using virtual reality technology to help tenants tour apartments before leasing. Reflecting on his experience, Jaquan said, “I was exposed to so much through my internship with Accenture. The experiences with time management and presenting are things that will help me this year and beyond.
The Impact of the NAF Academy
The experiences of Keith, Rau’Kiyah, Donyae, and Jaquan are just a few examples of how the NAF Academy prepares our students for life beyond high school. The NAF programs at KIPP DC College Preparatory and Legacy College Preparatory blend rigorous academics with real-world experience, equipping students to explore their passions and develop critical life skills.
“NAF helped me discover a passion for business and entrepreneurship,” Keith shared. “For example, I recently competed and won a regional competition through the Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship and will compete nationally in October. It just shows that being in the program itself, has brought me to a level where I can make my passions come to life.
The NAF Academy not only provides practical skills but also builds the confidence to pursue one’s dreams. As we move through the school year, we are excited to see how our NAF Academy students will apply what they’ve learned to achieve even greater success.
