There is an incredible story happening in Tahoe-Truckee. Aim High students and alumni are co-creating a free tutoring program to provide academic-year support, volunteer opportunities and much needed community and connection. The initiative is led by Aim High Regional Program Manager and Alder Creek Middle School teacher, Katie Jamison. “I ran into one of my former students on a trail last year, in the middle of the pandemic. They didn’t have any community service opportunities because everything was shut down,” Katie shared. This was the lightbulb moment. She reached out to the district’s new superintendent and high school principals and asked if she could set up a program where high school students tutored younger students for community service. Everyone said yes, and Beyond Aim High was born. This incredible program allows middle schoolers to get ahead in school, while encouraging high schools to become leaders in their communities. Tahoe/Truckee high school students who are Aim High alumni co-lead weekly one-hour small group academic and enrichment activities in virtual classrooms for local middle schoolers. A handful of Aim High teachers are also present in the virtual classrooms to observe and hold space. To close each session, the high schoolers lead a community-building activity related to Aim High’s CORE values. “On top of the tutoring support, Beyond Aim High carves out time for belonging and community so that students can talk about stuff that’s not just related to school,” Katie said. Right now, 70+ middle schoolers and 50+ high schoolers are participating and thriving in Beyond Aim High. Katie is hopeful that the program will continue to grow and serve as many students who want to participate. She recently opened enrollment to current 5th graders, and other middle schoolers who are not part of Aim High—a decision she hopes will also encourage many of them to enroll in Aim High this summer.