Program Overview

Each Squash Haven team member participates in 3-5 days of weekly academic and squash programming throughout the school year as well as on vacations and during the summer. Each session includes academics, squash, and fitness in addition to a healthy snack. Team members also participate in programming on about half of weekends. Weekend activities include community service, squash competitions, and fun team activities like going to Yale sporting events. Students must maintain a 90% attendance average and a B average in school in order to stay in Squash Haven. Team members are typically selected in 5th or 6th grade and will stay in the program through college. 

Academics
Our academic program is geared towards preparing  students to succeed academically at a four-year college. Squash Haven team members spend at least half of all weekday sessions in a classroom working with members of our staff and individual tutor volunteers on homework and academic enrichment.  At each grade level, sessions are dedicated to helping students succeed in their school environments and build additional academic skills that will be requisite for success in college and the workplace.   

Placement
Squash Haven also provides resources for college, high school and summer placement. In addition to assisting interested 7th and 8th graders apply to competitive boarding and day schools, we provide SSAT and SAT prep to all students taking the tests. During students' junior and senior years, we visit a variety of colleges and universities on the east coast and connect them to admissions offices and squash coaches. Throughout the process we focus on each students' college essay and application, and helping students and families navigate financial aid opportunities.

Squash
Every Squash Haven practice includes time on the squash court. Students work with Squash Haven staff, Yale varsity squash players, and other volunteers on shot-making technique, footwork, rules of the game, fitness training, and competitive strategy. As team members progress, they compete both in individual squash tournaments and as a team against local schools and other urban squash programs. The goal of our squash program is to teach the game, improve skill and fitness levels, and develop Squash Haven team members within the competitive squash world as part of a fun team-oriented environment.

Community Service
The Squash Haven community service program provides our students the opportunity to build community pride and involvement through a range of volunteer outings.  Each Squash Haven team member participates in ten hours of community service per year.