Beacon Academy, founded in 2005, is a 14-month school that prepares kids from non-privileged families for getting into great high schools. The mission of the organization is to help “motivated and promising eighth grade students in the Boston area embark on a transformative year between eighth and ninth grades. Through rigorous academics and empowering experiences, Beacon Academy aims to change the trajectory of students’ lives. With increased confidence and improved skills, students will be positioned to succeed at competitive independent and public exam high schools.” Last year, 15 students graduated from Beacon Academy, and this year there are 21 kids in the class. Beacon Academy students eagerly tell you how much the school has impacted their lives. Carlos, for example, is an extraordinary tennis player and hard worker who explained that he improved his math and English skills tremendously and enjoyed going to the Museum of Fine Arts each week to look at paintings. Carlos is now the President of his ninth grade class at a great boarding school and is profoundly grateful for Beacon Academy’s help in getting him to where he is now.