Programs

Principle Programs: Summer Scholars is an award-winning, year-round community literacy initiative partnering with 18 Denver public elementary schools to provide 1,750 at-risk youth annually with high-quality reading instruction and enrichment activities in the out-of-school-time hours. All of Summer Scholars’ programs are driven by ongoing program evaluation and feature research-based curricula, family involvement, and low student-to-staff ratios. 2007-08 program components include:

• Summer Literacy and Recreation – Will serve 1,000 struggling elementary students annually at 18 partner schools in June and July of 2008. The morning academic period includes small group instruction in reading and writing, plus scientifically-based activities to build students’ learning skills. The afternoon recreation period features swimming lessons, cultural field trips and music.

• After-School Tutoring and Enrichment – Is serving 1,000 low-performing students at 12 schools during the school year from September 2007 through May 2008. Students engage in one-to-one reading and writing tutoring, computer-based literacy exercises, a curriculum to build learning skills, and enrichment activities like gardening, hands-on science projects, sports and games.

• Family Literacy – Serves 180 Summer Scholars parents at 12 schools year-round. Linking parent and child education, services include adult education and English language instruction; early literacy education and child care for younger siblings; parent education; and parent and child time together.