First Lady Michelle Obama Coming To Atlanta To Encourage Students to Reach Higher

"Education is the key to success for so many kids. And my goal specifically is to reach out directly to young people and encourage them to take charge of their futures and complete an education beyond high school."

– First Lady Michelle Obama, January 16, 2014

On Monday September 8, 2014, first lady Michelle Obama will travel to Atlanta to meet with Education Secretary Arne Duncan at Booker T. Washington High School — where Martin Luther King Jr. attended before leaving early for Morehouse College. Obama will tour a college fair and then give a speech in the school gymnasium that promotes her “Reach Higher” initiative, pushing students to complete post-secondary education.

The Reach Higher initiative is the First Lady's effort to inspire every student in America to take charge of their future by completing their education past high school, whether at a professional training program, a community college, or a four-year college or university.

In today's economy, a high school diploma just isn't enough. Students have to reach higher, which is why the First Lady is working to rally the country around the President's "North Star" goal — that by 2020, America will once again have the highest proportion of college graduates in the world.

Expanding Opportunity

The Reach Higher initiative will help make sure all students understand what they need to complete their education, including:

• Exposing students to college and career opportunities
• Understanding financial aid eligibility that can make college affordability a reality
• Encouraging academic planning and summer learning opportunities
• Supporting high school counselors who can help more kids get into college

For more information please visit: http://www.whitehouse.gov/reach-higher