The Onward 2 High School (O2HS) program, an initiative of the John H. and Cynthia Lee Smet Foundation, is a bridge program that prepares middle school students for high school, college, and beyond. During the school year, the O2HS program supports student success by providing a director to teach an Honors Algebra I course across partner Catholic elementary/middle schools. During the summer months, the Director of the O2HS program launches a Summer Institute program for rising 7th and 8th grade students with a target GPA of 3.0 at its partner host high schools; Bishop Mora Salesian High School, Cathedral High School, Sacred Heart High School, St. Anthony High School, St. Mary’s Academy, and St. Pius X-St. Matthias Academy.

During the school year, the O2HS directors will teach Algebra 1 Honors at partner 8th-grade classrooms to accelerate academic achievement. Directors also provide academic support to students at middle school and high schools partner sites during the school year either through tutoring, providing in-class math support to students directly, and/or reviewing and analyzing student data to guide instruction.

In the summer, O2HS will host a three-week, STEAM-based Summer Institute at six partner high schools where rising 7th grade and 8th grade students will continue to expand their learning with new friends through hands-on collaborative projects, field trips, learning from guest speakers, and project based learning.