A partnership between Metro Atlanta Title 1 schools and SCANA Energy has resulted in dramatic improvements in students’ test scores, grades and overall esteem.
Of the 10 schools in Georgia that SCANA funds, two of them in DeKalb County – Stone Mill Elementary in Stone Mountain and Woodward Elementary School in Brookhaven – receive funds to run free after-school homework centers.
SCANA funds homework centers that supply minority, special education and ESL (English for Speakers of Another Language) students with after-school tutoring. The results have been significant.
Stone Mill, which had about 30 children comprising third, fourth and fifth graders, completed its second year in the Homework Center program with measurable results in the classroom and intangible improvements outside of it.
During the 2023-24 school year, according to a report compiled by SCANA, in the areas of English/language arts and math/science, every student elevated his or her test scores. In reading, 100% of third grade students improved, 92% of fourth grade students improved, and 91% of fifth grade students improved.
In science, the report said, 100% of students in fourth and fifth grades improved and 75% of third grade students scored higher.
Woodward Elementary, which last spring completed its fourth year in the program, decided to address declining science scores with their fourth graders. The students in the afterschool program, along with homework help, took field trips to science-related fairs and competitions.
Stone Mill Principal Alethea Mack and Homework Center Manager Anne Belizaire said the program, which serves 30 students a year with twice-a-week help, is extremely popular. This year, there are 15 students on the waiting list.
“I see how much the kids enjoy coming. They are running to the classrooms for their snacks and to get started,” Belizaire said. “This program is seen as a reward, not a punishment.”
Belizaire recalled one ESL child who was reluctant to speak in class, lacked confidence, and didn’t have parental support at home. After participating in the program, his math grades soared and his communications skills improved. The student’s parents came to Belizaire in February and personally asked if he could re-enroll the following year.
“That’s the thing with our ESL population,” Belizair said. “When they go back into the classroom they’re able to participate in classroom discussions. They’re not afraid to speak. They’re not afraid to participate.”
Part of the strategy in the Homework Center is to “frontload” the students – that is, to meet with the students’ teachers, strategize about upcoming academic lessons, and introduce the concepts to the students first in the Homework Center.
The students are getting ahead of their peers and feel more comfortable when these topics are introduced,” Mack said.
Part of the appeal of Homework Center, Mack said, is the opportunity to take them to places where they normally would not be able to afford to go, like off-campus STEM workshops. In addition, Homework Center students travel to Mercedes-Benz Stadium for SCANA’s annual Field Day end-of-year celebration where students meet Atlanta Falcons’ and Atlanta United players and participate in traditional field day games in the stadium.
“Our kids get very little exposure to the community,” Mack said. “So, as our students go to Georgia Tech, they go down to the football arena, it adds that additional exposure that has also enhanced our program.”
Carol King, who heads up sponsorships and social impact at SCANA Energy, said she has a lot of personal satisfaction in seeing the social and academic growth of the students who participate in the centers.
“I’m a kid of the Atlanta school system, and I know the resources that these children need,” King said. “We’re doing above and beyond, to make sure they get all the resources necessary.”
