Breakthrough Miami uses a unique “students-teaching-students” model to create a rigorous, vibrant learning community, where highly motivated, traditionally underrepresented 5th-12th grade students are supported to achieve post-secondary success and emerging leaders are inspired to become the next generation of educators and advocates.
Sarah Wright Senior Site Director
Sarah is intimately familiar with the Breakthrough model, as well as the Miami Country Day School community. Sarah served as a Teaching Fellow at Breakthrough San Francisco and Breakthrough Louisville where she taught 4th & 5th grade Math and Language Arts. Her experience as a Breakthrough Teaching Fellow ignited her career in education and teaching. At Miami Country Day School, she was Lead Teacher for 5th grade, and founder and leader of the Global Equity and Inclusion Board before leaving in 2019 to join Colorado Academy as their Director of Inclusivity. Sarah is an experienced educational leader with expertise in curriculum development, as well as the design and implementation of equity and inclusion strategies. She is an accomplished facilitator in diversity and equity issues and has more than 100 hours of professional development in working with gifted and exceptional children. Among her specialized training is certification in the Orton-Gillingham reading method and multiple K-5 subject teaching credentials. Sarah has also attended the NAIS School Leadership Institute, as well as the Multicultural Leadership Institute.
Sarah earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Ohio State University and a Master of Arts degree from the University of California - Berkeley. As Senior Site Director, Sarah will continue to develop the identity of the Breakthrough Miami program at Miami Country Day School and deepen the relationships within the school community, including students, parents, alumni, and faculty. In her role, she will be leading and guiding program planning, building and sustaining relationships and partnerships, supporting Scholars and their families, and leading the Teaching Fellow and volunteer programs. Sarah will work in partnership with school administration to ensure the success of all initiatives, including the shared commitment of both organizations to diversity, equity and inclusion.
Our school year program operates every other Saturday. This summer we will be providing all our programming virtually, meaning nearly all volunteer opportunities will be online via web conference and will require an internet capable device. Please complete this form and the Breakthrough site staff at Miami Country Day will contact you within a week with information regarding the following: volunteer orientation and volunteer work schedule.
Miami Country Day has awarded over 24 Breakthrough Miami Scholars with full scholarships from 6th grade to 12th grade since 2011. This year two rising 9th graders will be receiving the Christopher N. Bellows Breakthrough Scholarships to complete their high school academic career at Miami Country Day School. This scholarship aims to give Breakthrough Scholars access to the Miami Country Day community along with helping the Scholars reach their full potential.
“Breakthrough Miami allows for everyone to be able to explore various activities and hobbies, whether it be different sports, various forms of art, or academics. And Breakthrough Miami makes lives of so many families a little more convenient since they offer so much with no large cost attached to it. Breakthrough Miami really fosters a creative, artistic environment and allows for everyone to be able to explore various activities and hobbies.”
Rashad Heagle, Breakthrough Miami Scholar 2018
Breakthrough Club Information
The Breakthrough Miami Club was founded in October 2019. The Breakthrough Club is a part of the Spartan community that dedicates their school year to civic engagement by serving as volunteers for Breakthrough’s school year programming. Our club members host classes in fields such as STEM, environmental studies, art, sports, and entrepreneurship. Our club members volunteer in exchange for service hours and also participate in our paid summer internship.
“My Breakthrough experience has been one that I will never forget for the rest of my life. Wether it’s super Saturday’s or holiday events, Breakthrough Miami always creates a fun, learning environment. I have been working with Breakthrough Miami for three years now and every single aspect of it has helped me grown to a better individual.”
Jasper Feldman, Breakthrough Miami Club President
“Breakthrough has opened so many doors of opportunities for me, I would not be where I am today without Breakthrough. I have had the opportunity to go to one of the most prestigious private schools in Miami and receive a great education, and I am forever thankful. Breakthrough has also served as a safe space for me to grow as a person and remain involved with my community.“
Rootbenie Desir, Class of 2021
Summer Schedule
June 16th
Summer Orientation
June 20th
First Day of Camp
July 4th
NO PROGRAMING - 4TH OF JULY
July 7th
Talent Show
July 13th
College Fair
July 28th
End of Summer Celebration
Breakthrough Miami Special Events
During our Super Saturdays, we host programming with student from grades 5th to 8th. Students are required to take a core class, attend advisory, and end the day with an elective. Our volunteers host all of the classes and we cover topics such as Environmental Science, Art, STEM, and Entrepreneurship to name a few. The goal of Saturday programming is to not just educate students but to also adhere to their interest and build skills that they will use for a lifetime.
MCDS is an Equal Opportunity Employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, age, religion, color, sex, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, pregnancy, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by Federal, State, or local laws.