As we approach the end of the school year, the CitySquash team is working hard and celebrating milestones. Above, Elias and his mom celebrate his acceptance to college, Sophia and Atziri enjoy lunch while on their spring break trip to Washington D.C., and CitySquash high school students prepare to play in the Spring Swing, a community squash event we held at Open Squash. As we finish up the final weeks of the school year, we are enjoying the chance to finish up projects, reflect on this year's growth, and celebrate graduations and milestones. Soon we'll be in the full swing of summer camp and travel opportunities. Plus, the big move into our new building is nearly here! Read below for all the updates.

ON THE ROAD

Spring Break Means Spring Tours!

Every April, CitySquash hits the road to make the most of spring break. CitySquash high school students headed to Charleston, South Carolina where they enjoyed kayaking, squash with Kids on Point, a Ghost Tour, a Carriage Tour, and a relaxing beach day! One middle school group spent the week in the Bear Mountain region! They hiked Bear Mountain Ridge, played squash in Sleepy Hollow, and then hit the virtual links at 19th Hole Indoor Golf. A second middle school group (pictured above) traveled to Newport Rhode Island where they toured mansions, went to the beach, and visited St. George's School. Elementary schoolers spent the week in Washington DC where they enjoyed seeing the pandas at the National Zoo, viewed the White House, and visited the iconic National Mall. The students finished off the trip with a visit to the National Air and Space Museum, paddle boating in the Potomac River and escape room fun. Click to hear Atziri speak about her spring break tour at The Bash!

BY THE SEA

Seniors Celebrate Together

CitySquash high school seniors and their families celebrated the milestone of their high school graduations at the annual senior pizza party hosted by CitySquash board member, Laura Trevelyan (second from right), and her husband, James Goldston. The group gathered with their families to reflect on all they have done to get to this juncture. In September, CitySquashers will matriculate to the following colleges: Boston University, City College, Connecticut College, Dickinson College, Hobart & William Smith Colleges, Hostos Community College, John Jay College, Middlebury College, The College of Mount Saint Vincent, and St. Lawrence University.

INTO THE REAL WORLD

Five New College Grads!

We are proud to celebrate our five newest college graduates and welcome them to CitySquash alumni community. Bravo (from left to right) Xitlaly Santos (Lehman College), Eslin Silva (Lehman College), Dainalee Velez (Bates College), Alan Lopez (Colby College), and Elizabeth Barroso (Colby College). We cannot wait to follow along on your next adventures!

Reading and discussing novels as a group is an important part of the CitySquash academic curriculum. Due to time constraints and the pressures of tests, many middle school students only read book excerpts in school today. We are happy to provide opportunities for students to dive deeply into novels together and to help them practice the important skill of literary analysis. On top of CitySquash class novels, in the month of May, we offered book club opportunities for students to explore The Hunger Games and The Lord of the Rings trilogies. Above, third graders visit the famous Elevenses Cafe in Queens.

After a long boat ride across the Atlantic Ocean, our ASB squash courts are here from Germany and have been installed. The floors will be installed soon. Our lobby stairs are in, and the classrooms are being painted. It's down to the details now! Our six courts will be ready for play this summer, and we're only a 20-minute train ride from Grand Central if you'd like to come visit! Click here for a video about the journey to a home of our own.

AT THE FRONT OF THE CLASS

8th Grade Presentations

Part of our Social and Emotional Learning curriculum in eighth grade focuses on mental health. Students learn to recognizing signs of mental health challenges and creating healthy habits. For our end-of-year project, every student was paired up and assigned a mental health disorder to research. Students spent several months researching their assigned disorder and becoming “experts" in the field. They then practiced their public speaking skills as they presented to their peers, families, and members of the CitySquash staff.

CitySquash team member and Connecticut College junior, Kimberley Lucero, published a lengthy opinion piece in the CT Mirror investigating her own story of asthma and eczema and the environmental factors that likely caused them. She shares extensive research around the environmental challenges that many low-income communities face and how in many instances they can lead to serious health issues. Click to read this important piece of journalism -- we know you will admire Kimberly's strong writing and commitment to justice.

JUNE 20-22, 2025

SEA Individual Nationals

41 students will travel to compete in the Squash and Education Alliance Individual Nationals held at Brooks School and Phillips Academy - Andover. These students will have a chance to compete against students from our sister programs around the country and the world. Good luck and have fun!

JULY 2025

CitySquash Summer Camp

July is a busy month at CitySquash. Students take place in our five-week summer camp filled with opportunities for academic enrichment, squash skill building, cultural outings, and quality time spent together while school is out. While the camp is based at Fordham, our students travel all over the city during the month. Send us an email if you or anyone you know would like to volunteer on the squash courts or in the classrooms at our camp!

OCTOBER 8, 2025

The Grand Opening!

Save the date for the Grand Opening of the Julian H. Robertson Jr. CitySquash Center! Click to RSVP-- See you in the Bronx!

Stay up to date on all that is happening at CitySquash by following us on Instagram @citysquash.

Get Involved

Interested in making a difference in the Bronx? We are currently looking for tutors (virtual or in-person), mentors, and squash volunteers. There are many ways to further our mission, and we'd love to discuss your interests. Click to get in touch.