Escape the Shape is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that empowers high school boys from underrepresented communities through a six-month program focused on leadership, service, and global learning. Developed by veteran educators with extensive domestic and international experience, our curriculum equips students with the skills and confidence to succeed in school, college, and as responsible global citizens.
Our mission is to cultivate the next generation of local entrepreneurs, philanthropists, and leaders by offering global experiences that broaden their worldviews and perspectives.
We provide international travel, free of charge, to high school boys who successfully complete our program, which emphasizes experiential and service learning.
Escape the Shape offers a rigorous, six-month leadership and college-access program designed to equip high school boys from underrepresented communities with the skills, confidence, and experiences needed to thrive academically and personally.
What We Do = student or parent quote about the program experience / learning
Through workshops, public speaking, and personal branding projects, students build critical communication, self-advocacy, and leadership skills.
Cohorts participate in meaningful service projects and fundraising activities like a 5K walk and Double Good popcorn sales, fostering teamwork, civic responsibility, and real-world impact.
Dive into international cultures through hands-on research projects, vibrant book club discussions, and opportunity to connect and network with students their age in other countries. These experiences foster critical thinking, deepen global understanding, and build lifelong friendships.
Personalized mentorship guides students through academic challenges and prepares them for college admissions and success.
Projects designed to develop problem-solving, creative thinking, and adaptability prepare students to navigate the complexities of the 21st-century world.
ETS is also deeply involved in advocacy for youth development and participation in community advancement through local entrepreneurship and philanthropy. We empower young men in the areas of physical, emotional, mental and spiritual strength.
Too many students are told what they can’t do. Escape the Shape shows them what they can—through mentorship, service, and a rigorous, globally inspired curriculum that builds confidence and broadens horizons.
Our program, grounded in research on experiential learning and cultural exchange, closes opportunity gaps that limit academic persistence and college access. By blending skill-building, mentorship, and global perspectives, we foster the confidence, resilience, and networks students need to thrive long-term.
“Escape the Shape has given my son access to people and place that I could have never imagined. This program has made him a world traveler, learning new languages, meeting new people and eating new foods. It has impacted not only his life but the people around him.”
– Phillicia – parent
Jacob
I feel like no matter where you go, you’re always going to find someone that you can help
Curtis Gr.10
(Escape the Shape) helped open my mind to the world around me and showed me how to be more open to new experiences.
Malachi Gr.11
(Escape the Shape) helped me open to the people around me and to sometimes be the bigger person if something doesn’t go your way
Jonathan Gr.12
(Escape the Shape) taught me how to be more grateful
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Anthony Anamelechi is a passionate educator and visionary born and raised in Washington, D.C. With over a decade of experience as an international math educator, he is committed to redefining education beyond traditional boundaries. Guided by his philosophy that “NO ONE is smart, NO ONE is dumb, but EVERYONE is CAPABLE,” Anthony has inspired countless students to realize their full potential beyond conventional schooling.
After earning his degree from Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University in 2008, Anthony returned to his alma mater, DeMatha Catholic High School, where his love for teaching and commitment to empowering young men—especially those from underrepresented communities—began to take root. His work in public and charter schools throughout the D.C. Metropolitan Area further strengthened his resolve to make a broader educational impact.
In 2015, Anthony embarked on a transformative journey overseas, seeking more meaningful ways to educate beyond standardized tests. Experiencing the global emphasis on travel, arts, and experiential learning in international schools inspired the vision for Escape the Shape. He asked himself, “How would these opportunities transform students back home?”
Escape the Shape is the answer: a nonprofit empowering young men in the DMV through international travel, cultural exchange, and hands-on learning experiences. Anthony’s ultimate dream is to grow Escape the Shape into a full-time educational institution where students spend most of the year learning abroad. For now, he focuses on guiding young men on life-changing journeys that broaden their horizons far beyond the Beltway.
