Breakthrough Cincinnati was founded in 1992 as Summerbridge Cincinnati. The program set out to address inequities in education and the shortage of opportunities available to high potential, underserved youth. With similar efforts being staged across the nation, local advocates Bill Hopple Jr. and Odessa Hooker partnered with schools to leverage the necessary resources to spur the Cincinnati program’s founding. 

The program provides 6th through 9th grade students the opportunity to challenge themselves academically and personally. These students go through a rigorous selection process based on academic merit, educational goals, and risk factors. Over the course of 4 years, student learning is guided by college-age Teaching Fellows, who are gaining the practical experience to succeed as future teachers and leaders. These relationships form the foundation of the unique "student-teaching-students" approach. 

Over the years, program sites have been hosted by the Cincinnati Country Day School, The Seven Hills School, and St. Xavier High School. Breakthrough Cincinnati is currently hosted by and operates two sites in Greater Cincinnati; at Cincinnati Country Day and The University of Cincinnati. While host sites provide the in-kind support and infrastructure that allows the organization to direct fundraising efforts to program operations, the organization is an independent 501(c)3 organization.

Breakthrough Cincinnati Inc.

Rhonda Starghill

This department focuses on providing instructional support and facilitating educational programs.

Education Services

This department oversees strategic initiatives and high-level management functions.

Breakthrough Cincinnati Inc.

Org chart

Teams

Education Services

Leadership Operations

Offices