Our Program
Classes and Daily Schedule
Classes are held on Saturdays during the school year and six weeks during the summer. Subjects that are covered are verbal skills, math problem solving, and test-taking strategies. The verbal component of the test prep focuses on verbal reasoning, grammar, and vocabulary. The math component focuses on algebra, geometry, and advanced arithmetic.
Field Trips
During the 2017 summer session, the students had off-site activities after class. They met and networked with successful black alumni from Brooklyn Technical High School, the Commissioner of Small Business Services, a New York State Supreme Court judge, a documentarian, the Vice President of Communications at MSNBC, and a live event producer who was one of the producers for the Democratic National Convention.
Community Service and Enrichment
Not only were our students being mentored, they were encouraged to be mentors. Each week, they volunteered at Little Sun People, a preschool that has been operating in Brooklyn for 35 years. They played with and read to children 5–9 years of age.
Students also participated in a literacy program that allowed them to engage in deep critical analysis of short stories with a writer.
Building Student and Family Relationships
One of the greatest challenges in getting black students to take the admissions test is their discomfort of being the only black person in a class and not knowing anyone. NTMA’s Big Brother/Big Sister Program will connect existing Navigate the Maze to Achievement students and families with incoming students and families to provide them with encouragement and support.
Admissions and Retention
While in high school our students will be supported both academically and socially through weekly tutoring and monthly workshops. During the summer after their freshman year, they will have PSAT prep to prepare them to take the PSAT their sophomore year. After their sophomore year, they will have summer SAT prep to prepare them for the SAT during their junior year. Additionally, during their junior year, they will begin to work with the NTMA guidance counselor as they prepare to apply to college.
