At a breakfast last Thursday hosted by Aim High and Orrick, Herrington and Sutcliffe, Dr. Martha Kanter, US Under Secretary of Education, shared news from the Department of Education and the role of programs like Aim High in accelerating American achievement in school. Dr. Kanter spoke of the Department of Education’s goal to make college possible for every American who wants it and ways that programs like Aim High are vitally important in preparing American youth for success.  As the Department of Education strives to bring American education to the forefront internationally, Dr. Kanter noted, it will look increasingly to programs like Aim High as sources of inspiration and innovations that can be implemented nationwide. Also present to share their stories were Pally Cottonham, guardian of Aim High graduate and teacher Demarcus Cottonham; Cameron Yuen-Shore, a grad who was inspired to pursue a career in teaching by his Aim High experience; and Viviana Montoya Hernandez, a grad who is now Site Director at Aim High’s East Palo Alto site. Our thanks go to Orrick, Herrington and Sutcliffe for opening their Silicon Valley office to host the event, and to hosts Bob Falkenberg, Hildy Shandell, Larry Kane and Lara Druyan for their help in organizing.