Paul Bass Photo
Lumpkin, at right, with mayoral schools liaison Jason Bartlett.
Saturday “academies” are set to open after the new year at four schools where math and reading test scores are lagging.
The district has started recruiting teachers and paraprofessionals to staff these Saturday “technology and gaming academies” at four K‑8 schools — Troup, Clemente, Wexler-Grant and Fair Haven — from Jan. 9 through June 4.
The academies are part of the Mayor Toni Harp’s 10-point plan to improve academic success, coming on the heels of a a recent move to start expanded learning programs at three low-performing local schools in the wake of rock-bottom test scores.
Students will be able to reinforce their math and literacy skills in part through online games and other technologically driven activities, said Gemma Joseph Lumpkin, the district’s new chief of youth, family and community engagement.
Based on research showing students do better academically if they are involved in after school activities, “we have determined that we really wanted to create a high-level thoughtful program that includes some of the well known practices for afterschool extended day programs,” she said.
The four schools chosen for the pilot are among the district’s most “challenged” schools, in terms of attendance, academic performance and behavioral issues, she said.
Superintendent Garth Harries said the academies will prepare students for parts of their academic lives and careers that require technology, including the Smarter Balanced Assessment, SATs and college applications. The district is working on recruiting both teachers and students from all schools to attend.
Lumpkin stressed that the academies would not be solely academic but would also strengthen students’ social-emotional support through “energizing” activities that “strengthen the relationship between teachers and students.”
Students will receive breakfast, lunch and free transportation to the Saturday programs, which will keep students for four hours, from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Teachers will receive stipends to work at the academies Saturdays, comparable to the $5,000 stipends high-ranked teachers receive through the federal Teacher Incentive Fund.
“The idea is to see how this goes, to learn from it. This is not just a program that’s about improving test scores. This is a program that’s designed to support student wellness,” Lumpkin said.