The Providence After School Alliance (PASA) has just launched its fall course offerings in partnership with the Providence Public School District (PPSD) and Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE) to deliver high-quality after school learning opportunities for middle and high school students across Providence.
Over 800 youth are enrolled in PASA middle and high school initiatives this fall to expand their skills and acquire skills that will help them along their career pathway. These hands-on, fun, and enriching learning opportunities are being offered through partnerships with 45 local organizations and leaders.
The Afterzone initiative gives middle school students a chance to expand their knowledge in unique and exciting ways beyond the classroom. For the fall session there are over 575 youth enrolled across five middle schools, namely: DelSesto, Roger Williams, Esek Hopkins, West Broadway and Nathan Bishop. Participants have the option to participate in a range of activities, including latin dance classes, learn the skills of a fashion designer, and participate in wrestling or basketball for example. Each class is offered in multi-week sessions and provide the foundation for youth to explore the world around them. For more information visit: https://www.mypasa.org/afterzone-middle-school/afterzone-brochures/.
The Hub initiative organizes high-quality non-credit bearing learning opportunities for high school students at at Juanita Sanchez Educational Complex (JSEC) and the 360 High School in Providence. The Hub builds upon the AfterZone by ensuring that the benefits of a coordinated system of enriching after-school learning opportunities don’t end when middle school students leave 8th grade. There are 100 high school students enrolled in Hub for the fall session. For more information visit: https://www.mypasa.org/innovative-high-school-learning/.
PASA also facilitates courses as part of the Advanced Coursework Network (ACN). ACN provides students with access to advanced courses that enable them to graduate high school as college and career-ready individuals, with the skills, knowledge, college credits and/or industry credentials that match their interests. ACN course offerings in PASA’s network focus on building an array of career-specific and social-emotional skills among students. PASA believes that by providing students with pathways of relevant, hands-on learning opportunities in real world settings, our ACN courses excite and engage Rhode Island’s high school students and set them up for success in school, higher education, career, and throughout life. In the fall session there are 145 students enrolled in ACN courses. For more information visit: https://www.mypasa.org/elos-and-after-school-programs/.
These initiatives are made possible with support from RIDE’s 21st Century Community Learning Centers funding, Bank of America, City of Providence, Every Hour Counts, Nellie Mae Educational Foundation, Rhode Island Foundation, TriMix Foundation, and Wallace Foundation.
The fall session runs from October 2 – December 7, 2017. The next session begins January 22 and runs through March 29.
About PASA
The Providence After School Alliance’s mission is to expand and improve quality after-school, summer, and other expanded learning opportunities for the youth of Providence, Rhode Island by organizing a sustainable, public/private system that contributes to student success and serves as a national model. PASA has served over 14,000 youth to date and is the largest public private after-school partnership in the city. For more information, visit mypasa.org or follow @MyPASA.