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 are expected to maintain a 90% attendance average and a B average in school. 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. Our academic program also includes exposing

College Access, College Persistence, and Career Development
Squash Haven also provides resources for college access and persistence. Most team members are first generation college students who benefit enormously from our individualized process. We provide over 100 hours annually of support to high school juniors and seniors to help them gain admission to and prepare to attend best fit colleges. We visit a variety of colleges and universities, connect with 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. Our career development program helps high school and college students prepare for and get hired for internships in their fields of interest and jobs upon graduation. 

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 and Health and Wellness
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. Team members participate in health and wellness sessions throughout the year to help increase their knowledge on a range of topics.