MANCHESTER — Six years ago, as a fifth grader at Northwest Elementary School, Renate Ahishakiye was identified as a bright student with high potential for academic success. In other words, she was an ideal candidate for Breakthrough Manchester at the Derryfield School.

Breakthrough Manchester seeks out those students, most from low-income families, who would likely be the first in their family to attend college.

“I remember as a student I loved the experience here,” said Ahishakiye, 16, who is still part of Breakthrough Manchester, this year as operations coordinator. She's also taking advantage of the resources Breakthrough continues to offer participants as they move through high school and prepare to enter college.

As a rising senior at Trinity High School, Ahishakiye can get assistance with a number of issues, including college applications, especially the all-important essay.

Breakthrough Manchester Director Kate Erskine said Breakthrough is a seven-year commitment, on both sides. While the middle school students get the six-week summer program and monthly Saturday programs during the school year — plus special academic help if needed — high school students also get help.

It takes the form of assistance with selecting college prep courses, tutoring, and financial guidance, including help with filling out the dreaded FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). They are getting what they have been receiving all along, encouragement and support.

Erskine said the process begins in fifth grade. Breakthrough recruiters visit all public school fifth-grade classes each year, explaining the program and recruiting for the program.

But wanting to be part of Breakthrough isn't enough. Erskine said the program is looking for bright, hardworking students with the potential for success in college. They don't have to be “A” students, but must have potential and drive.

There is a lengthy application to be filled out and each applicant is carefully evaluated. Ahishakiye said several of her friends also applied, but she was the only one accepted.

Breakthrough recruits its teachers among high school and college students, with an emphasis on those interested in teaching as a career. The national organization also now has a collaboration with Teach for America, which places recent college graduates with leadership potential, who commit as teachers for two years, in urban and rural schools.

Ahishakiye said she doesn't plan to be a teacher, instead she is considering something in the medical field. But she expects that there will be teaching involved in some way in whatever she does. “I know the impact Breakthrough had on me,” she said.

Breakthrough classes for the 85 students focuses on math, writing, literature and science, but also offers “electives” that include languages, arts and sports, all taught by the 29 youthful student teachers.

What's changed in the last few years is how those student teachers prepare for their teaching assignments in a one-and-a-half week training session before the Breakthrough class session begins.

Erskine said Breakthrough hires a team of instructional coaches who teach the student teachers specific techniques to use in the classroom “so that you know they are paying attention.” The techniques increase active participation by the students, questioning them and getting frequent feedback. It's a combination of teaching and re-teaching, reinforcing learning. Because of the coaching, the teaching style is consistent in all classes.

The Breakthrough program for the middle school students goes from July 2 through Aug. 10 and is rigorous. In addition to classes all day, students have two hours of homework every night.

That's fine with Damian Moore, 14, who just finished eighth grade at Southside Middle School and is headed for his freshman year at Trinity High School.

He learned about Breakthrough in fifth grade at Beech Street School. “I came from Poland (and) that was my first year in America,” said Moore, who was initially in an English Language Learner classroom.

Erskine said Breakthrough doesn't usually take students from an ELL classroom, but Moore was a fast learner and has thrived in Breakthrough.

He's a big fan of the monthly Saturday sessions during the school year, saying it's an opportunity to get back with the Breakthrough community and reinforces what the program is designed to do. “Every Super Saturday I've learned something new,” said Moore.

“I never thought about college in Poland,” he said, but now it's definitely part of his future. He originally thought about becoming a lawyer, but now he's leaning toward engineering.

Because a private college — like Cornell University — would be too expensive for his family, he said: “I kind of want to go to Annapolis.” He's more than happy to trade time in the military for education and experience in his chosen field.

Moore discovered yet another benefit of participation in Breakthrough when he said he would be attending Trinity. That surprised Ahishakiye, who said she'll be happy to be a contact for him at the school.

Erskine said the public is invited to visit Breakthrough Manchester at the Derryfield School Thursday, July 12, from 8 to 9:30 a.m., or Tuesday, July 17, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. to learn more about the program.

To reserve a spot, call Kate at 641-9426 or email her at kerskine@derryfield.org.

For more information online, go to www.breakthroughmanchester.org

dvincent@unionleader.com