“I like helping people in customer service. I always like to show great customer hospitality, whether it's funny, caring, loving, just a good tone and good impression. And, I also am here for my credits… working here, you also are working on your math skills, your resume, and marketing. You're working on skills you're gonna need in the future, not just a concession stand.  You're not just working with food, it's also communication, patience, organization, reliability” - Q5 student

“Even students who typically experience anxiety or hesitation around trying new things are choosing to opt in and take on the challenge of going to the Pond. That speaks volumes about the trust they feel in this environment. With supportive adults by their side, they’re pushing past their comfort zone.....the growth in confidence we see, even in just a few weeks, is incredible. That’s what I love about this experience -it’s so much more than a summer job and it certainly beats sitting in a typical summer school classroom.”

Joe Cain, BPS Teacher and Founder of Rise & Thrive Education

“I think [this summer] helped me improve academically and improve my mindset on what I want to do after I graduate. It improved not just my productivity but my determination to graduate… it's more flexible than the regular school year and it gave me a sense of what it’s like to work in business and customer service.” - Q5 Student