achievement gap programs
The Y’s Achievement Gap programs provide academic instruction and support for students who are at risk of being behind or are already behind in school. Our goal is close the gap through our After School Program and Y Believe Summer Learning Academy.
Our achievement gap programs use the SAFE (Sequenced, Active, Focused, Explicit) Framework to help our staff to get the best possible outcomes when it comes to positive social behaviors, tests, grades and school attendance.
After School Program
We believe all kids have potential. A large number of children from low-income environments reach kindergarten unprepared and continue to fall behind in school without proper intervention. Our YMCA has partnered with the YWCA, the Black Hawk County School District and other Community Outreach Partnerships to reach our shared mission, closing the achievement gap. Our After School program provides homework help, math and literacy enrichment, small group tutoring, opportunity for exercise, and an assessment for the social and emotional development of the children who attend our program!
Y Believe Summer Learning Academy
The Y Believe Summer Learning Academy’s wants build strong, literate, and empowered children who are prepared for the next level of their academic learning through our partnerships with Campaign for Grade Level Reading and the Waterloo School District. The Academy plays a much needed role in curbing summer learning loss and closing future achievement gaps by providing summer academic enrichment for students identified as being most at risk for summer learning loss.
The Academy is a key part of YMCA’s work to ensure a level playing field for all children. This program has the ability to boost student interest and motivation in reading, generate more positive attitudes toward learning, increase self-esteem and connect the needs of children and families to the resources of their communities.
Our team will engage children in academic enrichment activities for part of each day and then also engage them in fun experiences like swimming, clubs, field trips, and games.
Every summer our team includes:
- current teachers of the Waterloo School District to serve as our Y Summer Learning Academy Coaches,
- pre-service teachers to serve as Classroom Instructors
- and college students to serve as Recreation Specialists to provide academy participants with an educationally rewarding and recreation-engaging summer experience.
Click here to watch a video about how the Y Believe Summer Learning Academy is affecting our community first hand!
