Initiatives & other Programs

Social/Emotional Learning (SEL)

At ATA we understand that all needs must be met in order for students to reach their fullest potentials. To this end we have adopted a consistent, intentional and systematic approach to enhancing social/emotional learning in our students with the understanding that academic and social/emotional growth go hand in hand. Social/emotional learning is the process through which children develop social/emotional skills that they need to succeed in their classrooms and in life. Skills such as “working together”, “showing compassion”, “respect” and “becoming a leader” develop socially competent individuals which leads to academic achievement and contributes to the development of a positive school culture. Our SEL program includes (but is not limited to): Use of The Responsive Classroom approach to teaching and learning, a school-wide incentive plan, and an emphasis on developing positive classroom communities.

Carrera Program

As a part of this year’s fifth grade curriculum at ATA, students will participate in the Carrera Trust program. This initiative is a partnership between the DC Children and Youth Investment Trust Corporation and the Children’s Aid Society-Carrera Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Program. This nationally-recognized model program that sees young people “at promise” instead of “at risk”, uses a holistic approach to empower youth to develop the desire for a productive future by avoiding pregnancy, completing high school, and entering college. CAS-Carrera works with boys and girls 10-11 years old and follows them through high school and beyond.

The CAS-Carrera program is the only 3-year fully evaluated teenage pregnancy prevention program with statistically proven effectiveness in the country, yielding a 50% reduction in birth rates in communities served. In addition, program participants delay the onset of sexual contact during their teen years, use medical providers rather than the ER for care, achieve higher PSAT/SAT scores, and have higher high school and college admission rates.

We are extremely excited to be able to bring this innovative and rich program to ATA!

Each week students will experience the seven fundamental program components:

• EDUCATION: Daily and weekend homework help and academic enrichment with trained teachers and tutors, individualized academic plans, and high school and college preparation
• EMPLOYMENT: Exposure to the world of work, earn weekly stipends, open individual bank accounts, participate in entrepreneurial projects, and summer job placement
• SELF EXPRESSION: Weekly music, dance, and drama sessions led by art professionals, this is an opportunity for youth to discover talents and build self-esteem
• INDIVIDUAL LIFETIME SPORTS: A fitness program emphasizing sports that build self-discipline and can be played throughout life, including golf, tennis, bowling, squash, and swimming
• FAMILY LIFE AND SEXUALITY EDUCATION: Age-and-stage appropriate literacy for youth, to learn the facts about puberty, improve communication with parents, and understand how to manage peer group pressure; Classes for parents & family members
• MENTAL HEALTH: Group discussions, individual counseling as needed, school and family visits, crisis intervention, referrals and case management
• MEDICAL AND DENTAL CARE: Comprehensive, no-cost annual physicals and dental visits

For more information, please visit www.stopteenpregnancy.com