A Short Story About A Success Story

The West After School Tutoring Program

Since 1998, the West After School Tutoring program has grown and improved the learning opportunities of more than 100 West Elementary School students each year.  Tutoring sessions were originally held in the basement of the neighboring Sixth Avenue United Methodist Church.  The Board of Directors of the West After School Center, Inc., an independent, community-based support group, from its inception has operated the tutoring program and others with a mission to create educational, social, and cultural opportunities for students and families in the community.  The WASC Board intends to see its students graduate from high school.  In 2003 a new $250,000 community center was opened and became the new home for the tutoring program and various services for children and families.

The tutoring program began with fewer than 20 students during the 1998-99 school year.  Today, more than 100 volunteers and 21^st Century Grant staff serve more than 100 students.  Many of the volunteers have been with the program since it began. 

The tutoring program supports approximately 25% of the most challenged students of West Elementary School.  Teachers, parents, and the principal identify students.  Academically at-risk, the students benefit from positive adult role models.  Most live in poverty in homes of high school dropouts.  The program is designed to enable students to acquire basic skills, increase family literacy, enjoy success in school and break the cycle of poverty and unemployment.  West School is located in one of two census tracts within the city of Lancaster with the highest concentration of poverty.  The staff and volunteers work to build a strong foundation and support network for the young children and youth from this targeted attendance. This is transforming West School.  Since the program began, school officials have witnessed higher test scores, improved grades, fewer discipline referrals, higher attendance standards, and a more positive self image of participants.  West School has been recognized for many improvements and initiatives.  The school received a nomination in 2000 in the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program.  The Ohio Association of Elementary School Administrators honored the school with the prestigious Hall of Fame Award in 2002.  Students in grades 1, 4, and 6 earned the highest reading scores (Ohio Proficiency Test) in the district during the 2001-2002 school year.

The tutoring program has enjoyed tremendous parental and community support.  The Sixth Avenue United Methodist Church granted free usage of its facilities and nearby parking lot.  Grants have provided tutor training, stipends for teacher support, remedial instructional materials, and professional staff acquisition. 

Grants have been obtained from United Way, local foundations, state and federal government, businesses and citizens, OhioReads (Ohio Department of Education) and the 21^st Century Community Learning Center grant program.

A decision was made to incorporate as the West After School Center, Inc., a non-profit, 501(c)(3) program, so that funds could be obtained for constructing a building (after school center) and sustaining the program with grants, community and private donations.  Funding for the tutoring program and proposed center has included, among other sources:

·$135,000 - Ohio Reads grants

·$50,000 -   Ohio Capital Improvements Bill

· $90,000  -  Federal HUD Appropriations Bill

·$20,000 -   Community Block Development Grant

·$18,000 -   United Way

·$80,000 -   Private Contributions

·  $25,000 — Fox Foundation

· $25,000  -- Fairfield Foundation

· $4,850 --    Mr. Holland’s Opus

· $1,250,000—21^st Century Community Learning Center Grant

·$90,000 — In-Kind donation

Planning collaborative programs to meet the needs of families and preschool students has been the focus of the Board since 2003.   These collaborations are targeted to provide family literacy programs and services for the neighborhood area.  The Board of Directors is interested in helping students gain exposure and appreciation for the arts and other creative interests.  The Board of Directors has provided support for similar tutoring programs in neighboring schools and is planning to expand opportunities for children throughout Lancaster.

Volunteers provide the best qualitative assessment of the program.  Their positive stories have added many volunteers to our program and those of other schools in the city.  The community’s churches have demonstrated ongoing commitment to our mission enabling the sustainability of a strong school-community relationship with many positive outcomes.

The Lancaster Eagle-Gazette, in an editorial (March 1999) stated, “The success of this program is immeasurable.  We like it because it brings Lancaster residents and their schools closer together.  We think it is a great experience for the students.  And, this has to be a great experience for the volunteers.  An idea that works should be applauded.”   The Lancaster-Fairfield County Chamber of Commerce awarded the program their first ever Education Award in 1999.  The senior citizen volunteers were recognized with the Central Ohio Area Agency on Aging “Service to Seniors” Award in May, 2005.

What began as a vision to transform the lives of children and their families in the poorest area of the city has spread to other elementary schools.  The grass-roots success of the West After School Tutoring Program, a cooperative school and community improvement effort, is unique and exemplifies true community engagement, involvement, and ownership.  It can be replicated in other schools.

A Short Success Story….

Destined to Have Long Lasting Results

updated February 24, 2006