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Academy Grant to Fund After-School Programs

Posted on: Monday, 21 November 2005, 15:00 CST

By Tiffany Erickson Deseret Morning News

City Academy is kicking off a new after-school program that brings in young and old from the community to learn, play, dance and sing and explore different enrichment opportunities.

This fall the school landed a $160,000 grant from the State Office of Education to create a 21st Century Community Learning Center -- a collaborative effort between City Academy, Highland High School, Episcopal Community Services and the Jewish Community Center.

"We felt strongly that in order for kids to make better progress in school and in life these programs were necessary," said Sonia Woodbury, director of City Academy. "We just felt a strong need in the area for after-school programming."

The award is in support of City Academy's new after-school program that will provide enrichment opportunities in a supportive community setting.

On the academic side the program offers tutoring, ACT and UBSCT prep courses along with an extended-day program for students who need a mentor, extra help and time in the computer or biology lab.

But they also offer fun classes like dance, juggling, chess, cooking and nutrition, choir and media literacy. A computer lab is open to the public and staffer is on hand help people learn how to navigate programs.

"I feel like we bring the resource of what our building is to the community," Woodbury said. "We have so many resources in our school so we felt like why not share it with the community?"

The 21st Century Program is oriented around reducing the number of students who are not meeting basic learning standards in core subjects, increasing student success on standardized tests and providing enrichment programs that strengthen families and support children's learning in a safe environment.

It is not only open to students but the entire community and Woodbury said it will continue to provide courses that could otherwise be costly to take.

The program will be offered in two locations and hold classes for 15 hours per week. The first and primary location will be on the City Academy campus, 2416 E. 1700 South. The second location will be housed on the Highland High School campus, 2166 S. 1700 East.

For more information call 596-8489 or visit www.cityacademyslc.org/CommLearning.htm

City Academy is a public charter school, established in 1999 and offering a college-preparatory curriculum for grades seven through 12. The school provides an integral educational approach to the arts, sciences and citizenship.

E-mail: terickson@desnews.com

Source: Deseret News (Salt Lake City)

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