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The Washington Nationals Youth Baseball Academy announced today that the organization has partnered with Higher Achievement and its DC Metro affiliate to create and implement comprehensive academic enrichment programming for its new youth development program. Currently under construction in Ward 7’s Fort Dupont Park, the Academy launched its inaugural afterschool academic program this week at nearby Kimball Elementary School, which will serve as a temporary location until the permanent facility opens in January 2014.

“We believe every child deserves the opportunity to learn and play in a safe and supportive environment,” said Tal Alter, executive director of the Academy. “Higher Achievement DC Metro is the ideal partner to help us build a program that does just that. Their decades-long track record of positively impacting at-risk youth offers us a tremendous amount of credibility from day one, and we are tapping into every bit of their expertise.”

“Higher Achievement is thrilled to be the core academic partner to the Washington Nationals Youth Baseball Academy,” said Katherine Roboff, Executive Director of Higher Achievement DC Metro. “We look forward to combining the best of Higher Achievement – our academic mentoring, homework help, and summer academy – with the best sports and wellness programming provided by the Academy. This innovative partnership represents tremendous opportunities for the young people of Wards 7 and 8.”

The mission of the Academy is to use baseball and softball as vehicles to foster positive character development, academic achievement and improved physical health among at-risk Washington, D.C., youth. Higher Achievement DC Metro, a non-profit delivering rigorous afterschool and summer academic programs in Washington, D.C., since 1975, was selected to help the Academy identify and train mentors, develop the program’s curriculum and incorporate operational best practices. Those interested in mentoring or volunteer opportunities are encouraged to contact Chris Reed, the Academy program manager, at Christopher.Reed@nationals.com, for more information.

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