Programs
At Hope Ignites Cincinnati, we offer a comprehensive range of services designed to support the whole scholar. Our programs are deeply interconnected, all rooted in a unified mission to empower students at every stage of their educational journey—from middle school through college.
Through our multi-tiered approach, we provide scholars with the essential tools, nurturing environments, and robust support systems they need to thrive. By fostering academic growth, personal development, and community engagement, we ensure that each scholar is equipped to achieve their fullest potential and succeed in their future endeavors.
Learn About Our Programs
Our Programming
All Hope Ignites Scholars participate in long-term, quality holistic programming in these core areas:
Long-Term
Hope Ignites scholars begin their journey with us in middle school and stay with us through high school, college, and career launch. Scholars move along together as we channel their energy and leverage their talents, strengths, and passions into an individual plan that helps them reach their full potential.
Empowered Learning
Hope Ignites scholars get ongoing academic support such as tutoring and college preparatory coaching. Residential scholars receive an academic scholarship, affording them an opportunity to get a first-class education at one of our partner schools.
Life Preparedness
In addition to help with their academics, all scholars learn basic skills they need to live happy, productive lives, such as budgeting, communication skills, household chores, planning for the future, following a recipe, travel basics, and opening a bank account.
Personal Development
Hope Ignites programming includes social & emotional awareness and physical activities that promote all-around health and well-being. Scholars are encouraged to explore their own spirituality as a critical part of living a healthy, well-adjusted life. All scholars are encouraged to participate in extracurricular activities that feed their purpose and passion.
Leadership & Service
Hope Ignites scholars are taught to become people for others—to live with purpose and give back to others in need. This is reinforced through community service; dialogue about important global and local issues; and the development of their own passions for social justice and being a change maker in their family and community.
College & Career Readiness
Our career preparation and leadership programming helps scholars identify their strengths and talents and what future careers they are interested in. Then, with mentoring, setting educational goals, planning, assistance with jobs and internships, as well as mock interviews and other experiential opportunities, we help get them there. Hope Ignites remains a Network of support for our Alumni.
Gardner Academy of Hope
Established in 2023
Located in a historic 5,700 sq. ft. home in East Walnut Hills
The Gardner Academy of Hope, established in 2023, is designed to support scholars in their educational success and personal growth. Located in a historic 5,700 sq. ft. home in East Walnut Hills, the Academy high school scholars from across the Cincinnati metro area. The program emphasizes a comprehensive curriculum that combines academic support, community service, and life skills training.
Scholars attend the Academy after school and participate in structured study time, personal development exercises, and enjoy a freshly cooked nutritious meal with other scholars and team members before returning home. Our team members provide transportation to and from the Academy and events to scholars in need of the service. We are also piloting a satellite Academy program where Hope Ignites Cincinnati works within the partner school on their campus.
In addition to regular after school programming, scholars participate in monthly community service projects, ACT/SAT preparatory sessions, and college and career support as they approach graduation. This program is a holistic approach to academics and the whole scholar, providing them with the extra support they need to succeed.
Heidt Residential Program
Established in 2017
Located in Two homes in Finneytown
The Heidt Residential Program, established in 2017, provides a safe environment for scholars in grades 7 through 12 allowing them to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally while attending private schools such as Our Lady of Grace and St. Xavier High School. Operating out of two homes in Finneytown, we currently serve 7 boys through our residential program. The program incorporates all the elements of our Academy program, including structured study time, personal development exercises, ACT/SAT prep, community service, and college and career support, in addition to providing a compassionate family-like setting for scholars.
Scholars in the residential program live on campus with our trustworthy team members during the week and are provided with all the resources they need from day to day including meals, school supplies, personal care products, and all the amenities of the Heidt House.
In addition to working closely with the scholars, team members also engage with and support the scholars’ families, recognizing the importance of a cooperative approach to support each child’s development. Our Scholars are driven and motivated to excel, and we provide them with the resources they need to succeed. We coordinate closely with partner schools to identify and address any academic and social-emotional gaps, ensuring that each scholar receives the comprehensive support required for their growth and independence within a structured home environment.
Primary Education STEM Initiative
Launched in 2024
Launched in the 2024–25 academic year, the Primary Education STEM Initiative addresses the increasing academic pressures faced by students in their formative years. Recognizing the importance of early exposure to critical subjects, this program collaborates with primary schools to introduce students in grades 5 through 8 to foundational STEM concepts. By focusing on areas such as coding and artificial intelligence, as well as earth sciences and introductory physics, the initiative aims to equip young learners with essential skills that will not only enhance their academic performance but also foster a lifelong interest in science and technology.
Currently serving approximately 55 students at the newly established Xavier Jesuit Academy in Bond Hill, the program emphasizes hands-on learning and real-world applications of STEM principles. Through engaging activities and interactive lessons, students are encouraged to explore complex ideas in a supportive environment, promoting both intellectual curiosity and critical thinking. As the initiative continues to grow, it seeks to inspire a new generation of innovators and problem solvers, ultimately preparing them for the challenges of an increasingly technological world.
College and Career
At Hope Ignites, our College and Career Program provides essential support to scholars as they prepare for college while still in high school. Key features include:
- Assistance with paperwork and college applications
- College tours to explore options
- Ongoing communication with students during their college years to ensure success
- Motivation for alumni to become advocates and mentors for future scholars
The program helps students explore passions, set goals, and prepare for life after high school, offering guidance on:
- Choosing the right college
- Finding internships
- Building professional skills
- Mapping out career paths
Our commitment extends beyond graduation, ensuring postsecondary success through:
- Ongoing scholarship assistance
- Transportation support during holidays and breaks
- Coaching on navigating university resources
- Continued emotional and psychological support throughout college years
Empower the Next Generation
We invite you to refer a scholar who may benefit from our programs. By connecting us with a deserving young person, you can help provide them with the essential tools and support needed for academic and personal success.
Together, we can make a meaningful impact. Please reach out today to help us ignite their potential.
My Road
My Road is Hope Ignites’ network-wide innovative online learning experience which consists of a journey of activities, assessments, and benchmarks that ensure scholars are developing academically, emotionally, socially, and spiritually in preparation for college, career, and life.
Alumni Community
Graduates of Hope Ignites programs across the Network become members of the Alumni Association, a growing body of professionals. Our alumni are leaders, changemakers, and people for others who give back to their families, local communities, and younger generations of scholars.
The Hope Ignites Network
There’s power in numbers. As a part of the Hope Ignites, our scholars benefit from programming, resources, partnerships, research, scholarship funds, and shared best practices. Our program uniquely offers a combination of deep local impact and the benefit of diverse international perspectives and interactions. Our scholars, collegians, alumni, and team members come together with other impact-driven individuals, maximizing opportunities to share, support, solve problems, and serve.
Our Network includes Hope Ignites Network Headquarters and affiliates across the U.S. and Latin America. All Hope Ignites affiliates ascribe to the same research-supported Program Model and Theory of Change. We’re proud of the support, and connections we receive from our Network!