Saint Ignatius High School

REACHing MAGIS

REACHing MAGIS is a program for 5th through 8th graders to help prepare them for the academic, social and spiritual challenges they may encounter as students in a college preparatory high school setting.

REACH: Recruiting Excellence in Academics for Catholic High Schools and More

Magis is a Latin term that means more.  The term is a favorite of Jesuits, who feel that we are all constantly called to do Magis, or more.  The REACHing MAGIS Program is our effort to do more to prepare students who have been traditionally underrepresented at Saint Ignatius High School for the academic, social and spiritual challenges they may encounter as students in a college preparatory high school setting.

Founded in 2002, REACHing MAGIS is an educational and leadership enrichment program that prepares midde-school aged boys for success at Saint Ignatius and other top college preparatory schools in Cleveland. With an understanding of how critical the middle-school age years are in determining the trajectory of secondary as well as post-secondary education, REACHing MAGIS is devoted to developing young men to achieve academic excellence, be open to growth, to be religious and committed to a life of service and justice. 

REACHing MAGIS students are preferrably admitted to the program during their 5th grade year, though we accept referrals for students in all grades. All accepted students must possess a standardized test score (Iowa, CAT, Stanford) above 50%, and maintain good academic and conduct records. 

If you would like to refer a student, we invite you to fill out this referral form. If you would like to apply to the REACHing MAGIS program, we invite you to learn more here.


How the Program Works

Each year, REACHing MAGIS works in partnership with parochial, traditional public schools and public charter schools. REACHing MAGIS accepts referrals of rising 5th - 8th grade boys who display early signs of academic and leadership potential. REACHing MAGIS' value-added model is set to cultivate the scholar's potential demonstrated in the elementary school years. 

It is important to note that REACHing MAGIS is not a school; rather, it is a supplementary program designed to work around the student's school schedule. Our programming takes place on Saturday mornings throughout the school year and Monday through Friday during the summer. During the summer, rising 6th grade REACHing MAGIS students are invited to attend the Arrupe Summer Program and rising 7th and 8th grade students participate in the Summer Enrichment Program.

Schools Represented

REACHing MAGIS students come from schools such as Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Urban Community School, Metro Catholic, St. Rocco’s, St. Ignatius of Antioch, Holy Name, Our Lady of Peace, St. Francis, St. Mary - Collinwood, St. Thomas Aquinas, Riverside, Luis Munoz Marin, and several other inner-city Catholic, public and charter schools.

REACHing MAGIS Student Profile

REACHing MAGIS students are comprised of the following:
-African American
-Asian American
-Caucasian
-Latino American
-Middle Eastern
-​Those who self-identify as Multiracial

  • Raymond Caraballo '10

    "Coming into high school with a group of guys that I knew took away the anxiety of beginning the path at Ignatius on my own. I felt at home because I had already known many of my classmates for years through the REACHing MAGIS Program."

REACHing MAGIS Staff