Question 1

Who is this program for?

Accepted Answer

High-aspiring students in Grades 5-12. Junior cohort covers Grades 5-8; Senior cohort covers Grades 9-12.

Question 2

Is the program fully online?

Accepted Answer

Most regional programs are fully online via live Zoom, with the Demo Day held online. Selected programs, such as Onward Brazil Scholars, include an in-person intensive capstone.

Question 3

How long are the sessions?

Accepted Answer

Sessions are 2 hours, live on Zoom, weekly. Programs run as 6-week online programs or 10-week extended terms.

Question 4

What is the mentor-to-student ratio?

Accepted Answer

1 mentor : 20 students. This ratio is fixed across every cohort.

Question 5

Who are the mentors?

Accepted Answer

Current Harvard student mentors lead each pathway. Concentrations represented include Computer Science, Economics, Government, Statistics, Applied Math, English, and Molecular & Cellular Biology. All mentors complete cross-cultural mentoring training.

Question 6

What does my child finish with?

Accepted Answer

A completed portfolio piece (essay, AI product with pitch deck, STEM prototype, or leadership campaign), a live Demo Day presentation, a Certificate of Completion, and competition submission guidance.

Question 7

What is the Program Fee?

Accepted Answer

For the 6-Week Online Program, the Program Fee is USD 349-399 depending on cohort. Scholarship codes may be available. Regional and school-partner programs are priced separately.

Question 8

How does this fit my child's school schedule?

Accepted Answer

Live sessions run on weekends or inside school enrichment periods. Designed for zero school disruption.

Question 9

Will my child receive a certificate?

Accepted Answer

Yes - a Certificate of Completion on completion.

Question 10

Is there homework?

Accepted Answer

Light project work between sessions, structured by the Learn, Study, Watch, Do framework.

Question 11

How are pathways differentiated by age?

Accepted Answer

Junior (Grades 5-8) uses STEAM branding and visual / narrative scaffolding. Senior (Grades 9-12) goes deeper into AI & Entrepreneurship and analytical work.

Question 12

What competitions can my child enter?

Accepted Answer

Recommended competitions are listed in the Competitions Library at https://joinonwards.com/competitions-library, including ISEF for Sustainability and the Entrepreneurship Olympiad through Next Billion Lab.

Question 13

How do schools partner with Onward?

Accepted Answer

Through the Onward-Managed delivery model - zero teacher workload, weekend Zoom or enrichment-period delivery, co-branded materials.

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