DISCOVERY:
A Summer Adventure at Reach Academy
FOR RISING 6TH GRADE BOYS
June 22 – July 3, 2026 | Curtis School | $2,500
OVERVIEW:
The summer between 5th and 6th grade is an important moment — a time when boys begin preparing
for the new academic, social, and personal challenges of middle school.
Discovery blends hands-on learning, real-world exploration, and character development into two
exceptional weeks.
Reach Academy for Young Men has helped hundreds of boys across Los Angeles grow in confidence,
leadership, and positive connection. Discovery extends that mission to rising 6th graders, creating a
community where boys can explore, belong, and step into the next stage of their journey with confidence.
Discovery is centered on real relationships, real challenges, and meaningful growth.
WHAT TO EXPECT:
Across two dynamic weeks, students join a carefully selected cohort of 12–15 boys who are curious, thoughtful, and ready for something new.
Together, our Discoverers learn from outstanding Reach instructors, work alongside high-school mentors, and experience the spirit of the Reach community.
YOUR DISCOVERY EXPERIENCE:
Discoverers take five engaging classes taught by our dynamic Reach instructors:
The Hero’s Journey
The Future Is Now: Designing, Programming, and Living in a Digital World
Woodworking
Choosing a School for YOU
Life Hacks and Creativity
Participants develop the habits that make middle school success possible — organization, confidence, curiosity, and creativity.
Participants also receive a thoughtful introduction to the secondary school admissions process, including interviews, essays, and identifying schools that are the right personal fit.
ATHLETICS AND PHYSICAL WELLNESS
Physical activity is an essential and joyful part of the Reach experience. Discoverers participate in a range of informal and structured activities designed to build confidence, teamwork, and a sense of belonging.
Whether a student already enjoys sports or is simply looking to be more active, there is a place for everyone.
The emphasis is on participation, encouragement, and trying new things — not prior experience or competition.
Mornings often begin with optional pick-up basketball, table tennis, or flag football, before our daily
Gathering. Lunchtime may feature soccer, ultimate frisbee, or other field sports.
Discoverers also take part in Reach’s signature Affinity Games, a spirited series of team challenges that bring boys together across groups.
Across all activities, the goal is simple: to move, to connect, and to be active.
CONNECT
Partner with an 11th-grade Reach Fellow mentor — an older student who has navigated this journey
and is there to guide and encourage you.
Join a close-knit cohort of boys who share curiosity, energy, and a desire to grow.
EXPLORE
Engage in a hands-on Discovery project that takes learning beyond the classroom.
Participate in a full-day retreat centered on teamwork, challenge, and reflection.
Reflect on who you are now, and who you are becoming, as you step into manhood.
WHY DISCOVERY?:
Because learning should feel like an adventure.
Because the right mentors and friendships matter.
Because how you begin middle school can shape the years ahead.
By the end of your two weeks at Discovery, you will enter 6th grade more prepared, more confident, and more inspired — ready to lead, learn, and take your place in a community that believes in your potential.
Through a learning-by-doing approach, boys will develop essential mindset skills and engage in thoughtful discussion, while mastering tools such as laser cutters, 3D printers, and lego robots. Students will explore real-world applications by programming technology and building with their hands, using woodworking tools and drone-based problem-solving as platforms for creativity and storytelling. Students also dig deep to reflect on their mindset and self-awareness, focusing on personal identity and self-growth.
For participants, Discovery fosters a sense of belonging and momentum as they prepare to enter middle school with curiosity and confidence. For families, it offers reassurance and comfort during an important time of transition.
We are excited to extend the Reach Academy mission to younger students and to build a community where boys learn not only what they think, but who they are becoming. Discovery is about growth, connection, and the joy of learning together.
We look forward to a great summer of discovery.
Warmly,
Mark Gutierrez
Welcome to Reach Academy and Discovery!
The transition from elementary school to middle school is more than an academic shift, it’s a time of growth, discovery, and learning. Discovery was designed with this important summer in mind, offering incoming 6th grade boys the opportunity to feel supported, challenged, and excited for what lies ahead.
