Learn. Explore. Thrive.

Level Up Academy is a 12-week course that is a comprehensive introduction to the skills and mindsets that students need to thrive in high school and beyond.

In Level Up Academy, Students Will Learn How To:

Develop a growth mindset: believe that learning is never done, and their intelligence and abilities can be developed through hard work and effort
Think critically: analyze information from multiple sources and form their own conclusions
Solve problems creatively: produce innovative solutions to problems
Take ownership of their learning and be responsible for their own education and progress
Explore topics such as goal setting, time management, and stress management

Level Up Academy will help students develop these skills and mindsets through a variety of activities, including:

Discussions: Students will have opportunities to discuss the topics covered in the course and share their own thoughts and ideas.
Activities: Students will participate in a variety of activities that will help them practice the skills and mindsets they are learning.
Reflection: Students will assess their progress in developing these skills throughout the course.

Level Up Academy will be facilitated by an experienced instructor who will provide guidance and support to students. In addition to the instructor, there will be volunteer mentors available to support students. Learn more about becoming a volunteer mentor below!

This course is designed to be challenging but rewarding. Students who complete this course will be well-equipped to succeed in high school and beyond.

Become a Mentor in the Classroom

Each student is paired with a classroom mentor who supports and encourages them in mastering the material. This volunteer opportunity occurs two to three times per week at one of our Central Phoenix campuses. Click below to schedule an informational call with our Level Up Academy Coordinator, Lindsay Stansfield, to learn more and get started.

Learn More

Bring Level Up Academy to Your Campus

We are slowly and intentionally building out the program and would love to consider your campus. Please email Marisa Arellano at marellano@npfy.org to begin the conversation.

Email Marisa

Become a Level Up Academy Student

If you’re ready to learn new skills that will help you reach your goals, talk to your guidance counselor about adding Level Up Academy to your class schedule.

FAQ’s

Level Up Academy is an innovative program created by New Pathways for Youth, built upon 35 years of experience in youth development. Drawing from extensive community engagement, the curriculum is designed to empower students through mentorship, personal growth, and meaningful connections—helping them level up academically, socially, and personally.

Founded in 1989, New Pathways for Youth is a local non-profit that empowers local youth to break the cycle of poverty by providing them the support, stability and skills they need to flourish. Their signature program, Level Up, provides youth with long-term 1-1 mentoring relationships in tandem with proprietary personal development curriculum that is trauma-informed and designed specifically for teens.

In 2023, New Pathways for Youth began partnering with area schools to bring their powerful personal development curriculum to students directly through the classroom with a new program called Level Up Academy. With the support of volunteers who assist as mentors in the classroom, Level Up Academy is expanding to schools across the Valley.

Level Up Academy is a dynamic 10–12-week program offered twice a year at the beginning of each semester in the fall and spring. Classes are an hour long 2–3 days per week.

We bring Level Up Academy right to local high school campuses across the Valley, making it convenient and easy for students and mentors to participate.

Absolutely not! Level Up Academy is completely free for both students and mentors.

Level Up Academy specifically serves youth who live below the poverty line and have high ACEs (Adverse Childhood Experiences), high risk factors (like access to drugs/alcohol, depressive symptoms, family conflict, or peer rejection), and low protective factors (such as limited school/community involvement or low social skills). Students are identified and recommended by school administrators, meaning participation is invitation-only.

Enrollment can happen in two ways:

A school administrator recommends or invites a student to join the program.
A school administrator offers Level Up Academy as a required class for a particular grade or group of students.

Mentors must be 21 or older, complete the Level Up Academy mentor application, and provide a valid photo ID (Driver’s License or other). All mentors will undergo an internal background check once they apply.

You bet! Every mentor completes two trainings before getting started:

Our self-paced Level Up Academy online training.

An in-person training at the New Pathways for Youth center.

We also offer an optional workshop, so our mentors feel even more prepared and supported before they head into the classroom.

Mentors commit to attending two 1-hour sessions each week over the 10–12-week program. They sit among the students, learn alongside them, and lead small-group activities and discussions. Typically, each mentor works with a group of 4–5 students at a time.

Absolutely! We host three mentor check-ins throughout the program where you can share ideas, swap stories, and build community with fellow mentors. Plus, we send out a post-program survey to gather your insights once the program wraps up.

We understand life can be busy! Let us know your availability when you apply, and we’ll do our best to work with your schedule. Consistency is key for students, so we aim to match mentors to the program days that fit best.

Yes! We love expanding our reach. If you’re a school administrator, teacher, or counselor interested in bringing Level Up Academy to your campus, just reach out to us. Our team can explore how to get your school set up for success. Please email Marisa Arellano at marellano@npfy.org to begin the conversation.