Cross-Grade Sports (CGS)

Cross-Grade Sports (CGS) is a transformative school-day, afterschool, and summer leadership program designed for high school students in grades 9-12. Through CGS, high school students coach and mentor elementary school children within their own communities, using sports as a vehicle for youth development. Participants develop essential leadership skills, gain valuable experience in mentoring, and build a foundation for college and career readiness. The program empowers students through self-growth, fostering confidence, teamwork, and a deep sense of responsibility while making a positive impact on the younger generation.

CGS Recess brings high school seniors to elementary schools, where they coach and mentor in school-day recess. In addition, the program features a Junior Coaches initiative, allowing select 6th-8th graders to begin their leadership journey with guidance from the high school coaches. This collaborative model not only strengthens the bond between older and younger students but also nurtures leadership skills, teamwork, and personal growth through sports-based mentorship. The goal of this program is to create a cycle of leadership growth, where Junior Coaches eventually transition to the CrossGrade Sports program once they are in high school, and eventually return to mentor new Junior Coaches.

High school coaches in CGS summer programming explore a broad range of career exploration, financial literacy, public speaking, and leadership topics while also coaching elementary students at UACS summer camps.

For more information or to get involved, please contact Sara Kelly, Director of UACS Sports, Fitness, and Health at sdkelly@sas.upenn.edu