Program Details
Program Details
Each spring during Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS) Spring Break, the YMCA Black Achievers program offers a transformative National College Tour. This one-week experience provides high school participants with a unique opportunity to:
- Explore college campuses firsthand
- Engage in financial literacy and economic sustainability workshops
- Learn respectful communication and relationship-building
- Experience student life including dorms, student centers, and classroom settings
- Discover support services related to equity, culture, and academic success
- Connect with peers and mentors through arts, cultural enrichment, and team-building activities
At the end of the trip, all students are required to submit a reflective essay about their experience and educational growth.
Who Can Participate
- Students in grades 9–12
- Must be current participants in the YMCA Black Achievers Program
2026 National College Tour Details
Dates: March 30-April 3, 2026
Rates: $350 per participants
FInancial assistance is available.
More details about the 2026 College Tour will be coming soon. If you have questions, would like to register, or want to learn more about financial assistance, please contact us at blackachievers@ymcalouisville.org or call the Chestnut Street Family YMCA at 502-587-7405.
Why Join the National College Tour?
Pathway to the Future
Gain exposure to college life and discover what’s possible beyond high school.
Real-World Preparation
Workshops on budgeting, respect, academic expectations, and career readiness.
Supportive & Inclusive
Travel and learn with peers who share your goals—led by experienced Y staff and mentors.
The Impact of the College Tour
From financial literacy to cultural exploration, this experience helps students grow personally, academically, and socially. The tour fosters lifelong skills and broadens perspectives about education and opportunity.
Seeing Their Future Firsthand
Students return from the College Tour with new confidence, a broader view of their possibilities, and memories that shape their next steps.
More From Black Achievers
Explore other key experiences that shape the Black Achievers journey.
Black Achievers
Discover the core mentoring and leadership development program for high school students.
Awards Celebration
Celebrate the achievements of youth and adults making a difference in the community.
National Achievers Summit
Join peers from across the country for a leadership retreat in the mountains of North Carolina.