FAQs

Aspire accepts applications from fifth graders who attend any school in the Greater Cleveland community who meet our application criteria. We have historically partnered with the following school districts:

• Cleveland Metropolitan School District /Breakthrough Schools

• East Cleveland City Schools

• Cleveland Heights-University Heights City School District

Aspire is a transformative program that strives for each girl to cultivate her leadership skills in and out of the classroom. Every day at Aspire, girls have the opportunity to learn, grow, and challenge themselves. Aspire is an extension of Hathaway Brown School; as such, there’s a deep commitment to educating and empowering girls.  

For three consecutive summers (prior to entering sixth, seventh, and eighth grades) Aspire girls commit to attending a five-week session starting in mid-June. The program runs Monday through Friday from 8:45 to 3:30 p.m. 

Aspire is funded by generous donors who make it possible for each student to attend for free. Supplies, T-shirts, breakfast, lunch, transportation, and all special events are included. 

Aspire offers round-trip transportation during the summer session and for year-round events. Bus routes include stops at schools and libraries in East Cleveland, Cleveland, Warrensville, and Cleveland Heights-University Heights.  

The application period starts in December and closes in mid-February. Typically, teachers and/or counselors share the application link with students. All others may ask their child’s teacher or principal to contact Aspire.

The Aspire program is an extension of Hathaway Brown School. An essential component of HB’s commitment to girls’ education is to expand its reach to students of great promise across Greater Cleveland. The Aspire experience supports deep engagement and fully embraces HB’s motto to learn not for school, but for life. The majority of Aspire programming takes place on Hathaway Brown’s campus in Shaker Heights. 

No! Once Aspire girls graduate from the program, the summer prior to eighth-grade year, they become part of the Aspire Alumnae Association. The Alumnae Association provides  resources and programming at critical moments in their educational journeys.

The Aspire program runs for five weeks during summer. During the school year, Aspire girls are required to attend year-round events. Year-round events are held occasionally on Saturdays and online programming is also offered.

Attendance is very important at Aspire! Upon joining, girls commit to attending three summer sessions, prior to sixth, seventh, and eighth grade. Full participation includes daily attendance during the summer and attendance at year-round events.

Families should not allowed to plan events or trips during Aspire’s summer session and on year-round event days during the school year. 

After graduating from Aspire, students are expected to maintain contact with the Aspire Alumnae Association by attending alumnae events and providing updates regarding her high school and college progress.

Families are asked to support their daughters throughout their time at Aspire. This starts with the fifth-grade application process by completing a family statement and interview. Aspire families are asked to help their daughter honor her commitment by helping the girls attend all events and uphold all Aspire responsibilities.

Families are invited to visit the summer program and attend special events, specifically student orientation, family night, and the closing ceremony. 

Lastly, families are discouraged from planning events or trips during Aspire’s summer session and on year-round event days during the school year.