It was standing room only at the Magna Senior Center as a community came together to showcase the ongoing effectiveness of after school programs.
Students and parents from Cyprus High, Matheson Junior High, Brockbank Junior High, Pleasant Green Elementary, and Magna Elementary joined with school staff members and community leaders to perform, expound, and relate a myriad of activities and projects.
“Our students must be successful,” said Cyprus High assistant principal Dottie Alo. “These programs must boost academic achievement.”
The after school programs are specifically directed to meet four goals:
- Involve parents in school
- Develop partnerships with the community
- Increase academic achievement
- Promote positive behavioral changes for students
Last year, teachers in the Magna Network completed surveys regarding students who participated in after school programs (ASP). The results are impressive:
At Cyprus High School, 86% of students who regularly participated in after school programs improved at turning in their homework on time. The junior high schools in the network reported that 51% of ASP students came to class more motivated to learn.
On the elementary level, Pleasant Green teachers reported that 80% of ASP students improved their academic performance. Similarly, 78% of ASP students at Magna Elementary improved in the classroom.