Who We Are

Thinking Cap strives to continuously broaden one’s intellectual capacity through daily interactions, environmental influences, virtual consumption, and personal hobbies. Founder and innovator Ron Nowlin created Thinking Cap as an organization dedicated to empowering young men and women with essential tools to discover and channel their best attributes and qualities despite positive and negative influences around them. Regardless of socio-economic status or cultural backgrounds, Thinking Cap aims to inspire our youth to become courageous enough to be curious, eager enough to seek the answers, humble enough to accept the advice and resilient enough to lead the pack.

How We Engage

Thinking Cap sessions are strategically designed to meet the needs of adolescent demographics in an effort to enhance their learning experiences in and outside of the classroom. All Thinking Cap sessions are customizable and tailored to fit the needs of specific populations through open floor discussions, mock activities, personal reflection, guest speakers, and much more. We spend significant time focusing on four core areas of growth and key subtopics necessary for students’ transitioning from middle to high school and from high school into college:

High School Readiness & College Awareness

High School & College Tours, Test Prep & How to Manage Test Anxiety, and an at-length review of the DC High School Application Process for both parents and students. Explore the option of private schools and scholarships.

Community Engagement & Service

This session aims to develop students from spectators into equipped agents of change in their communities.  Students are required to select of an area of interest and commit to developing and monitoring its progress.

Healthy Relationships

Knowing Your Self-Worth & Establishing Healthy Self-Esteem, Bullying, Body Image & Body Shaming, Drug & Alcohol Use, Setting Boundaries and Effective Communication with Parents & Adults

Financial Literacy

Entrepreneurship, Money Management, Checking & Savings Accounts, Credit Cards, Establishing Exceptional Credit, Applying and Qualifying for Grants & Scholarships, and Saving for College for both parents and students

Assessing Progress and Success

Thinking Cap students will complete a questionnaire to identify their personal needs and what they hope to gain from the Thinking Cap program. Prior to the beginning of each session, students will also complete a diagnostic exam to establish an academic base. Students are closely monitored throughout the duration of the program and provided an assessment of their progress at the end of the year. Upon completion of the Thinking Cap program, students will complete an anonymous survey of their experience.

Graduates of Thinking Cap will acquire a wealth of academic knowledge and life skills, establishing a newly found or refreshing aura of resilience along their individual journeys. We provide on and off-site accommodations as requested. Parental involvement is suggested and strongly encouraged throughout the program.