Executive Director
Accordian
Breaking New Ground | 2015
Mission Squash presented to the Houston Independent School District Board and received a unanimous vote in favor of building the first ever US urban squash program within public school grounds. Enter a chance meeting with the former principal at Hogg Middle School, a school in the Heights area of Houston with an 81% economically disadvantaged…
The Pilot | 2011 – 2014
Alistair Barnes founded Mission Squash as a nonprofit in late 2011. He was inspired by a visit to Street Squash, one of the oldest and largest Urban Squash programs, based out of a purpose-built, $10-million facility in Harlem New York. In 2012 “Mission Squash” began pilot operations in Houston, partnering with Gregory Lincoln Education Center,…
Our Network
Mission Squash Is: A proven national model 2,500 Urban Squash students enrolled in 25 urban squash programs across the US With a unique hook An elite sport serves as a pathway to 150+ prestigious schools and universities And an impact so deep $25 million in college scholarships won by Urban Squash students It changes entire…
Persistence
While it is not Mission Squash’s goal to “hold their hands” through college, our program ensures that scholars understand how to support themselves as independent young adults in college and beyond. Prior to entering college, all scholars receive assistance in managing and tracking items on their college entry checklists and complete a summer life skills…
College Access Advising & Support
Beginning in 9th grade, scholars are given regular workshops to better understand how they can make themselves a strong applicant for colleges and universities. By 11th grade, scholars are matched with volunteer advisors from within our College Access Council who are to remain with them through 12th grade. Scholars build strong relationships with their advisors…
High School Access Advising
Middle school scholars and families receive support and assistance in determining best-fit high schools. Our College Access Director works closely with scholar families to determine which schools (including HISD public schools, local private schools, and boarding schools) are most suited to each individual child. All families receive 1-1 advising in order to match scholars with…
Academic Intervention
As one of the few college access programs serving an academically diverse body of students in Houston, Mission Squash understands that targeting and closing academic gaps through regular academic intervention and tutoring is the key to long-term success in school and is a critical part of gaining access to college. Our goal is that each…
The Road to College
Our Road to College program is modeled after the other Squash and Education Alliance programs that send 96% of their high school graduates to a post-secondary degree program. It is our goal that 100% of our students gain access to and enroll in a post-secondary program with 85% graduating within 6 years. In order to…
Socio-Emotional Wellness
Since the beginning of the program, we have come to understand that supporting our scholar’s wellness is not limited to physical fitness, but to overall socio-emotional health as well. These principles are backed up by Nationwide research that shows there is a great need for not only proper education and implementation of nutrition and exercise…