Rise High is excited to announce the start of their 2025/2026 academic year. Rise High is a free, weekly STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) program for 6th through 12th grade students from Schenectady City School District and other neighboring districts. Classes started on Saturday, September 20, 2025 with 110 students and 45 volunteers and staff members. The organization works with students to experience hands-on experiential learning, expose children to careers in technology, and introduce fun along the way. Mentors work with students throughout their time at Rise High, creating an extended network of caring professionals in various scientific fields who work directly with students as they grow and explore possible career paths in STEM fields.
Founded in 2017 by Mark and Terri Little along with Omayra Padilla De Jesus, Rise High has grown steadily each year. This fall, the program celebrates its largest enrollment to date, including a record graduating class of 18 students.
“I’m proud of everyone who is involved in Rise High,” said Gretchen Belanger, the organization’s Executive Director. “Our students are creative, funny, and motivated. It’s inspiring to see them grow as they move through the program. This year’s graduating class started with us in January of 2020 and has stuck with the program through COVID, online learning, and so much more. They are a close-knit, determined group—and we can’t wait to see what the future holds for them.”
“I am always amazed by the kids in our program,” said founder Mark Little. “You really get to know them and I’m proud that we help them create their own futures. Each one of them has high aspirations for themselves and we’re here to help them reach their goals.”
The program could not be possible without the many years of generous support from the Little Family Foundation, and other community partners including a recent three-year grant from the Wright Family Foundation. This funding will help to cover critical operating costs such as free weekly student transportation and paid teaching internships for classroom managers.
“Our community is everything,” added Little. “Not only do we have the support of organizations and businesses, but we also have an amazing community of volunteers, mentors, and the kids themselves. One of the most rewarding things about Rise High is seeing graduates come back as volunteers and mentors for the current cohorts of students.”
Belanger adds, “The team we have at Rise High is a great example of truly committed people who care. This year, our team is the largest it has ever been, meaning that we have one adult for every three students. We could not do this work without our new and returning team members. Our students appreciate their dedication and consistent belief in what the kids can accomplish.”
Rise High Inc. is a nonprofit organization working with children across Schenectady. The organization’s mission is to provide sustained exposure to diverse enrichment learning opportunities in STEM to under-resourced youth in the community via comprehensive approaches that address and overcome barriers to academic, personal, and wellness development.