The Steppingstone Academy Hartford is an academic enrichment and preparation program designed to expose students to the academic rigor found at top independent schools. The program consists of classes during two six-week summer sessions as well as one academic year session. Scholars split into two teams to create small classes. This ensures that all students have a high level of engagement with their teachers and a high level of accountability in the classroom.

Over the course of fourteen months, Scholars are challenged to undertake coursework that exceeds the rigor and difficulty found at most public schools. The program is designed to encourage Scholars to take responsibility for their learning process and helps them to take intellectual risks and challenge the world around them. Further, The Academy prepares Scholars for the social and cultural transitions they will encounter in high school and college.