Goizueta Foundation Awarded Grant to Reach for Excellence
The funding supports a 25-year-old Atlanta educational program aimed at increasing high school access.
Updated on Sept. 19, 2026 in Financial Aid
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The Goizueta Foundation has awarded a three-year grant to Reach for Excellence, an independent program hosted at the Marist School in Atlanta. The funding arrives as the initiative celebrates its 25th anniversary of serving low-income middle school students.
Why it matters
The grant aims to remove financial and academic barriers for students seeking admission to private high schools. By funding test preparation and tuition assistance, the program seeks to improve college-preparatory opportunities for local families.
The grant supports a 26-month enrichment program and five-week summer sessions. Funding is earmarked for SAT, ACT, and SSAT test preparation, alongside curriculum updates for math and data skills.
The players
The Goizueta Foundation
This organization focuses on enhancing the quality of life in Atlanta through strategic investments in education and community development.
Reach for Excellence
This independent program of the Society of Mary provides academic and financial support to low-income middle school students in the Atlanta area.
Marist School
This private college-preparatory school in Atlanta serves as the host site for the Reach for Excellence program.
The details
The funding establishes a new Program Coordinator position to facilitate communication between families and administrators. Additionally, resources are allocated for private high school fees, pre-college summer programming, and a permanent substitute teacher for summer classes.
Timeline
The grant and anniversary were announced on September 19, 2026.
The financial support for the program spans a three-year duration.
Culture Shift
This program reflects a broader trend of private institutions actively diversifying their student bodies through targeted socioeconomic outreach. It mirrors national efforts to dismantle systemic barriers to high-quality secondary education.
Local families may see improved communication and expanded access to test preparation resources through the new Program Coordinator. The curriculum updates provide students with more robust study materials for their private high school applications.
The takeaway
This long-term investment highlights the importance of sustained academic support for middle schoolers preparing for high school transitions. Implementing consistent evaluation of such programs helps ensure that resources effectively reach students who need them most.
Further reading
Learn more about local opportunities in Financial Aid.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Georgiabulletin.
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