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Today, things are different for the students, parents, and teachers at the St. Vrain Valley School District (SVVSD). In 2021, SVVSD launched the Achievement Acceleration Academy (AAA) to provide opportunities beyond the regular daily school schedule. This after-school program provides in-person instructional support and enrichment in language arts and science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) for students. The evolution of AAA in the post-COVID-19 pandemic era has brought a better understanding of the students' needs and how to connect with them in their learning process.
At the beginning, there were challenges. In 2020, schools shifted to the unexpected distance learning brought by COVID-19, but with the quick intervention of the program funded in part by the American Rescue Plan Act, AAA is a key component of school activities. Amanda Holden, principal at Eagle Crest Elementary School, notes, “One of our biggest activities we do in our school is AAA. We have the mindset that the program is part of school as an extended day on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and that has helped us enroll a lot of kids and find support across all stakeholders."
"Our transition back to learning and engaging in school activities has been remarkable. We're thrilled to see our resilient students thriving and quickly regaining their momentum. Dedicated teachers are diligently fostering each student's connection to their learning journey." added Deann Dykes, principal at Northridge Elementary School.
Students missed the human connection and the joy of social interaction during the pandemic. AAA has provided the opportunity to extend relationships beyond the regular school schedule, where they can learn, have fun, and create. “In the wake of COVID-19, the time children share with friends and teachers has taken on a deeper significance. The pandemic's pause ignited a love for learning that extends beyond the classroom, inspiring both children and families to appreciate the value of education. We're rediscovering the joy and power of face-to-face interaction, the human connection that fuels learning and growth,” Holden said.
SVVSD leadership is committed to ensuring that the program meets the needs of each student at every stage. To achieve this, they prioritize family engagement opportunities. “One of the ways we prepared for summer school was by focusing on family engagement opportunities,” said Dykes. “We wanted to bring parents and families in and help them develop skills and strategies to support their students at home.”
“For example, during the project launch this past summer, we discussed each different content area,” Dykes continued. “In one of our meetings, called Cafecitos or little coffees, we taught parents how they could do science activities with their families.”
The program currently accommodates over 1,500 kids who actively engage in after-school services, specifically tailored to provide tutoring and other forms of academic assistance. In general, the school community couldn’t feel prouder about the progress that the program has made so far. “At the district level, as we look at the assessment scores that just came back and the conversations happening about education trends, St. Vrain is above its pre-COVID baselines,” added Hilary Sontag, Executive Director of Advancement & Strategic Partnerships at St. Vrain Valley.
One of the program's strengths is the targeted approach, so all the kids can successfully follow the school curriculum. As Holden noted, “Something we do in AAA is front-load or pre-teach things that might come up in class the next day. For example, if some kids are missing experiences like visits to the aquarium, we focus on those experiences with books and supporting materials. These activities give students a sense of confidence or the ability to actively participate in class with their peers.”
AAA is a proven success, and today it has the support and involvement of different stakeholders. “We see the commitment to this program in the long term. AAA was a COVID recovery strategy, and that was how it was born. However, our intent is to continue with the program if families want to keep participating and if schools and teachers believe it's right for our students. Financially, it's a commitment, but we're fortunate to have community investment from a lot of different resources, and we always take a braided approach to funding high-priority programs,” Hilary Sontag said.
School district braided funds are a financing strategy that combines multiple funding streams from different sources to support a common goal. This can include federal, state, and local funding, as well as grants and private donations. Braided funds can be used to support a wide range of programs and initiatives, such as early childhood education, special education, English language learner programs, and career and technical education.
“One of the things I love about leadership in St. Vrain is that they're very focused on the assets of our community and our kids rather than on the deficit. I see it as an opportunity to continue to grow and improve things for our kids in our schools,” added Dykes.
The Achievement Acceleration Academy is helping to see schools as the place where parents and students have a support system on which they may rely even when other social and economic resources are not always available for families. “I think that one of our big outcomes, besides supporting students academically, is that we want them to feel connected, supported, and positive about their experience at school. As public educators, our goal is to serve our community and help build a better world,” added Cathy O'Donnell, St. Vrain Valley AAA Program Manager.
Some of the strategies to keep those connections are volunteering opportunities and social interaction involving school activities outside of regular hours. The program eliminates barriers and provides flexibility according to the family’s needs. When challenges arise, AAA sees them as the jump start for adaptability and the key to improving the moving pieces of the program.
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