Rappahannock Area YMCA Partners with BELL

Rappahannock Area YMCA is partnering with national educational nonprofit BELL (Building Educated Leaders for Life) and the YMCA of the USA on Power Scholars Academy (PSA), a summer program that expands learning time to improve the academic achievements, self-confidence and life trajectories of elementary school students in Falmouth, VA who are performing below grade level. The program runs from May 29 to June 29 in King George, VA and from July 9 to August 10 in Falmouth, VA.

BELL-powered programs like PSA are designed to prevent summer learning loss, the greatest contributor to the achievement gap. The PSA summer program of the Rappahannock Area YMCA is a holistic summer learning experience that blends rigorous literacy and math instruction with hands-on enrichment, social emotional development, and community engagement.

PSA was launched in 2013 by the YMCA of the USA and BELL in collaboration with local YMCA associations and schools as an academic and enrichment intervention for underperforming students. The partnership grew out of a shared goal of narrowing the achievement gap. The program is powered by BELL’s comprehensive, evidence-based solution that youth organizations and school districts use to design, deliver, and measure PK-8 summer and afterschool learning programs.

In 2017, nearly 7,500 scholars participated in PSA in 28 states and the District of Columbia. Over 157,000 children have been served by BELL-powered programs since 1992. Evaluation results showed enrolled students, known as scholars, gained an average of two months in literacy skills and three months in math skills. Over 94 percent of PSA teachers reported higher self-confidence among scholars, and 88 percent of parents reported that their child now has a better ability to overcome challenges.

Approximately 91 percent of educators surveyed say PSA improved their professional skills, and more than 92 percent found working with the summer program personally rewarding. About 82 percent of scholar parents say they are more involved in their child’s education as a result of the program, and more than 92 percent would recommend PSA to other parents.

“Increasing access to high-quality learning experiences beyond the school year helps scholars get ahead when they return to school in the fall, instead of falling behind,” says BELL CEO Lauren Sanchez Gilbert, EdD. “We are honored by this opportunity to expand learning time and empower more scholars, parents and educators this summer.”

An estimated 7.5 million K-8 students from underserved communities are performing significantly below grade level, and up to two-thirds of the academic achievement gap is due to lack of access to summer learning programs.

About the Y

The Y is one of the nation’s leading nonprofits, which strengthens communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. Across the U.S., 2,700 Ys engage 22 million men, women and children – regardless of age, income or background, nurturing the potential of children and teens, improving the nation’s health and well-being, and providing opportunities to give back and support the community. Anchored in more than 10,000 communities, the Y has the long-standing relationships and physical presence not just to promise, but to deliver lasting personal and social change. Visit www.ymca.net for more information.

About BELL (Building Educated Leaders for Life)

Founded in Boston in 1992, BELL (Building Educated Leaders for Life), is a national nonprofit that partners with school districts and youth organizations to improve the academic achievements, self-confidence and life trajectories of highest need PK-8 students. BELL has developed a comprehensive solution partners use to design, deliver, and measure evidence-based summer and research-based afterschool programs. BELL programs are holistic learning experiences that blend rigorous academics with enrichment, social-emotional learning and community engagement. BELL achieves its mission by empowering educators and building the capacity of partners to accelerate academic and social impact. Visit www.experiencebell.org for more information.