Extended Learning Program

Extended Learning

Extended Learning Opportunities was established at The Arts & Technology Academy Public Charter School (ATA) to enable and support students and families in academic instruction and enrich the development of children outside the regular school day. Currently ATA supports two categories of after school programs: Academics & Enrichment. These programs are designed to serve targeted students and each program is grade specific. It is known that academic intervention is a cornerstone of increasing student achievement and we are responsible for unlocking the enormous potential in our students.

Goals - We provide after school programs year round, three to four hours a day, five to six days per week, and 39 to 47 weeks per year.  As a result of participating in after school, we expect that:

• Students will see increased academic performance
  
• Students will attend school more often
  
• Students will be more engaged and excited about their learning experience
  
• Parents will take a more active role in their student’s education
  
• Schools will see a positive change in school climate
  
• Teachers will have higher expectations for students and will be more involved and/or invested in the school
  

Current Initiatives -  We support two categories of after school programs: Academics & Enrichment:

•  After-School Reading All-Stars (Ac ademic – 2nd  thru 5th male students)
•  After School Counts (Academic – all grades, targeted students)
•  CARRERA (Academic and Social – 5th grade students only) 
•  Positive Academic Wholesome Safe –PAWS (all grades, all students)
•  Saturday School (Academic – 2nd thru 5th grade targeted students )
•  Keep Kids Learning (Summer Enrichment – rising Kindergarten thru rising 5th grade )
•  DC Scores (3rd -5th grade) 

After School Reading All-Stars Book Club

Target Population: 3rd thru 5th male students

Description: The primary purpose of After-School Reading All Stars is to encourage young boys to read books that interest them and that are not a part of the regular curriculum at ATA.  An additional goal will be to give readers the opportunity to discuss and share their insights to the chosen books with other readers who share their interests. Our ultimate goal is to instill a love of reading in our male students.
 

After School Counts

Target Population: all grades, targeted students

Description: After School Counts is an afterschool tutoring program that offers individualized one-to-one and small group tutoring that are proven effective in developing the student, both academically and behaviorally. This program provides individualized tutoring in which students receive math and reading remediation, academic enrichment, homework assistance, as well as instruction on test taking skills and strategies.

Positive Academic Wholesome Safe (PAWS)

Target Population: all grades, all students

Description: PAWS is a before and aftercare program that was developed to assist parents and their children in providing a safe and nurturing environment that’s focused on academic success during after school hours. This program offers homework assistance and opportunities for self expression through the arts. This program is committed to providing enriching and rewarding experiences that will enhance the lessons learned throughout the school day.

*There are costs associated with this program

Saturday School 

Target Population: 2nd thru 5th grade

Description: Saturday School is an academic intervention initiative program designed to improve student achievement and support continued gains on statewide assessments. Based on current assessment data, students will receive instruction in those areas that are identified in the basic and below basic categories. Beginning in September and running through April, approximately 100 students in grades 2nd - 5th will receive instruction approximately 2 to 3 Saturday’s each month. Saturday School takes a comprehensive approach to reinforcing academic foundations and teaching valuable test taking skills. Benchmarks show that 90% of the students that have attended Saturday School regularly have gained an average of 5 to 10 percentage on district benchmark assessments. Traditionally there is an average of 7 to 8 years of experience in education on staff. 
  

 Keep Kids Learning
  

Target Population: Rising Kindergarten thru rising 4th grade

Description: Keep Kids Learning is a comprehensive summer school program that provides Rising Prek – 5th grade students the opportunity for academic intervention, recreation and social enrichment. The program enables ATA to enrich and expand their offerings into the afternoon period, as well as expand services to those students not mandated to attend summer school. In addition to the morning 4 ½  academic period Mon-Fri., we offer an additional 5 ½ enrichment period, for 5 weeks beginning mid June and ending the last Friday in July.

 *Enrichment Academies

Target Population: all grades all students

Description: This program is offered at all levels for rising K-5th grades, will enable students to maximize their potential for success. Our classes are designed to supplement student learning while providing enriching real world experiences through the arts. Each and every student will benefit from small class sizes and take away educational experiences lasting a lifetime.
  

*Step-Up to Third Grade
  

Target Population: Rising 3rd grade

Description: The Step Up to Third Grade (Step Up) is a five week transitional summer program intended to provide four hours of daily literacy and mathematics instruction. The students will learn mathematics and English language arts through hands-on activities, collaborative groups, and real-life applications. Step Up is not a remedial program; its purpose is to help students in the transition from 2nd grade to 3rd grade and to build the academic skills in reading and mathematics.

DC Scores
 

Target Population: 3rd grade thru 5th

Description: DC SCORES is a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization whose mission is to empower students in urban communities using soccer, writing, creative expression, and service-learning. With teamwork as the unifying value, DC SCORES inspires youth to lead healthy lifestyles, be engaged students, and become agents of change in their communities.

Founded in 1994 at Marie Reed Learning Center by Teach For America corp member Julie Kennedy, DC SCORES has grown into one of Washington's largest after school programs and is the only program teaching soccer in under-resourced communities. Today, DC SCORES annually enrolls over 700 students from twenty-three DC public elementary and middle schools.

DC SCORES addresses some of our community's largest issues: childhood obesity and literacy. Students in DC SCORES annually engage in over 130 hours of physical activity and 100 hours of creative writing, public speaking, and community improvement projects. DC SCORES students thrive socially, academically, and athletically by forging positive relationships with adult mentors both in and out of school.