Academic disadvantages can permanently affect the course of students' lives, regardless of their ability, and potentially limit their contributions to the community. Too many talented students in low-income families and neighborhoods attend overcrowded schools without access to college preparatory academics, college counseling, summer internships, or exposure to the arts. Alternatives, like academic enrichment programs or specialized public high schools are limited in number and flooded with applications. Thus, bright students and enthusiastic learners are routinely unchallenged and left with poor academic options. TEAK was created to reach these deserving students and offer educational access and opportunity.

TEAK stands out for its commitment to diversity and choice. Admission to TEAK is based solely on academic achievement, leadership and personal potential, and financial need. TEAK does not base admission on race, national origin, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or physical ability. TEAK is also a choice-based program and offers a number of educational options to its students by incorporating public, parochial, and independent high school partners.

TEAK admits high achieving, low-income seventh-grade boys and girls from all five boroughs of New York City and works with them through the summer after they graduate from high school. Gaining admission to a top high school, having support during high school, and being exposed to a strong group of peers, advisors, and mentors will give talented students who lack the economic resources of their peers more equal footing from which to compete and succeed.

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