Programs Related to Academic Success

Targeted Tutoring: During the school year, certified teachers provide standard based tutoring for students in ELA & Math.

Early Literacy: Members receive one-on-one tutoring during the school day with a focus on improving literacy in K-3rd grade students by helping them reach grade-level proficiency through support in three spheres of life: school, community and family.

Job Readiness Training: Members ages 14-17 can receive paid classroom training and work experience during the year. 

Homework Help: On Mondays through Thursdays, 45 minutes is designated for homework completion and reading. Program staff monitor and assist students in grade level groups. Volunteers supplement staff, reduce adult-to-child ratios, and provide individualized attention to struggling students.

Summer STEM Camps: DIY STEM is a hands-on, activity-based STEM curriculum which connects youth aged 9 to 12 to science themes they encounter regularly. Special attention is paid to connections of theory and application and the common interactions members have with these scientific principles. DIY STEM currently includes five modules: Energy and Electricity, Engineering Design, Food Chemistry, Science of Sports: Football. DIY STEM provides youth who might otherwise not have access to STEM experiences with simple, fun, hands-on activities. Exposure to science, technology, engineering and math is critical during the tween years, when young people’s natural curiosity drives interest and builds capacity for success in these disciplines.

Summer Brain Gain: Each summer in America, an estimated 43 million children in the U.S. miss out on expanded learning opportunities that could prevent them from falling behind. During summer, most youth lose about two months' worth of math skills. Low-income youth also lose more than two months' worth of reading skills, while their middle-class peers make slight gains. Summer learning losses can stack up from year to year, causing low-income children to fall further and further behind, ultimately endangering their chances of high school graduation. More than half of the achievement gap between lower- and higher-income youth can be explained by unequal access to summer learning opportunities. 

CareerLaunch: CareerLaunch encourages Club members ages 13 to 18 to assess their skills and interests, explore careers, make sound educational decisions and prepare to join our nation's work force. Club staff or volunteers help teens build their job-search skills and job readiness by using the CareerLaunch Facilitator Guide and working with teens individually or in small groups. The CareerLaunch page provides Club teens, staff and volunteers with online career exploration, college and job search information and interactive activities. Mentoring, job shadowing and training opportunities round out the program.

Diplomas2Degrees: diplomas2Degrees (d2D), a college readiness program, guides Club members as they work toward high school graduation and prepare for post-secondary education and career success. d2D helps teens develop both short- and long-term goals, while familiarizing them post-secondary education through experiences like college tours. It also assists youth in securing financial aid and fosters supportive relationships with adults who can provide support throughout the college experience.

Money Matters: This program teaches teens how to set goals, budget, save and invest. In addition to staff-led financial literacy sessions, young people practice their financial decision-making skills through fun, engaging digital tools and games. Teens who complete Money Matters show improved financial management skills, including saving money and sticking to a budget.

Drama: Drama education builds self-confidence, sparks creativity and boosts academic achievement. The DramaMatters Afterschool Program Guide is a weekly program consisting of 60-minute sessions segmented for beginner, intermediate and advanced members. Each session can be adapted to fit the age of participants as well. Sessions consist of a short warm-up; a main activity of games, script work or performance; and a 10-minute cool-down. The Lessons in Stagecraft Program Guide includes many different ways for members to express themselves creatively, from costumes to set design or directing.

Lyricism 101: Recognizing the power of the literary arts, Lyricism 101 positions Club members as torchbearers and experts in the ancient oral poetic traditions that continue to thrive around the world. The program gives teens an opportunity to tell their stories, build community and express their artistic visions through the music of hip-hop culture and the culture of the cipher.

Music Makers: Young people need positive outlets for creative self-expression, and many have a keen interest in the performing arts. Musical study develops critical thinking, self-discipline, self-esteem, self-confidence and teamwork. The goal of MusicMakers National Music Education Program is to promote young people’s natural love of music and to increase their appreciation of this art form while building their skills so they can express themselves using instruments such as the guitar or drums.