The USMA Military Police Company hosted WPAOG’s CONNECT Program for a special “MP for a Day” event at the Buffalo Soldier Pavilion. From mastering Nerf shooting lanes, to learning how to write up a (friendly) citation, Highland Falls students got a front-row seat to what it takes to be a Military Police Officer.
The West Point Association of Graduates launched the CONNECT After School Program at Highland Falls Intermediate School in September 2022 as part of the larger Hudson Valley Program effort to strengthen ties with the Highland Falls community, provide greater engagement within an under-served community, and bolster student achievement.
Over the last three years, the program has delivered enhanced learning opportunities. Through a distinctive partnership between WPAOG and the United States Military Academy, CONNECT has provided free, daily academic enrichment in English Language Arts and mathematics to students in grades 3–5, serving a district where 58% of students are economically disadvantaged. The program pairs consistent academic support with cadet mentorship, expanding opportunity while modeling leadership, discipline, and service.
The results are significant. Students who participated in CONNECT throughout their elementary years increased math proficiency from 18% to 52% and ELA proficiency from 30% to 59%, with economically disadvantaged students experiencing the largest gains. Nearly 300 cadets have volunteered, contributing more than 800 hours of direct support. While the program does not claim sole causality, the scale and durability of these outcomes demonstrate that sustained, no-cost academic enrichment reinforced by committed mentors produces lasting impact.
