Juniors Take on the SAT


As part of Access Youth Academy's commitment to getting students into competitive colleges, each year we provide an SAT prep course for our juniors. Taking into account student and instructor feedback from previous courses, this year we scheduled the SAT prep course so that it would lead right up to the March 10th official SAT testing date. 

Since November, the juniors have been meeting with Academic Coordinator Conor Robinson and a 99th percentile SAT expert for targeted practice and highly individualized tutoring. This has comprised three officially proctored SAT practice exams and more than 20 hours of SAT instruction. Our goal was for each student to make 200-300 points growth over the duration of the course, and it looks like most of them will meet that goal. 

On the morning this newsletter goes out, the students will all be testing simultaneously at locations around San Diego. Don't wish them luck! Congratulate them for all their hard work. We are confident they will do well.  

Mentors Mixer - Networking for Student Success

Nearly 20 supporters came out for our Mentors Mixer! On the evening of February 24th, current and prospective mentors came together to connect over their shared commitment to our students and to swap stories and ideas. It was the first of what will be a series of events designed to ensure that our mentors feel they are effective in their role and connected to Access Youth Academy. We are grateful to Porters at the Pyramid for hosting the event and donating $1 to Access Youth Academy from every beer poured. 

Interested in becoming a mentor? Email [email protected] .


Friend-raiser at 
La Jolla Beach and Tennis Club
We are so grateful for Board Members Jack McGrory and Blair Sadler, for hosting a wonderful friend-raiser at La Jolla Beach and Tennis Club on Thursday, February 22nd! We had a great mix of guests, including previous donors and new friends that hadn't heard much about Access before. Both new and familiar guests were treated to a spectacular view from the Walnut Room, as well as great conversation with Access staff, board members, and students Felipe D. and Djulia S.


Our Friend-raisers are great resources for Access to reach new groups of people, and for board members, partners, and other supporters to connect with each other in new ways.

Do you have a group of about 10-20 friends or colleagues who you'd like to host for an introduction to Access and the work we do to serve low-income youth? 

Email Jason Tucker, Development Director ( [email protected]) for info!

Friends of Access 
 Monthly Giving Community!
Looking for an easy, convenient way to support Access Youth Academy all year long? Join Friends of Access, our new monthly giving community! As little as $10 per month can provide the squash equipment needed for an Access student for one year.

Click on the Photo to Sign Up Today

Stay Connected