Program Specifics

The LIFT program consists of two components. The components are the LIFT Summer Camp and the nine-month LIFT After School program. The summer program will provide enriching, engaging learning opportunities for fifty third, fourth and fifth graders at Rankin Elementary School. Students will be exposed to rigorous STEAM based activities used as a springboard for improving students academic and performance through providing tutoring in the areas of reading, math, and science, mentoring, and social and emotional skill development.

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LIFT After School Program 2024-2025

Students will arrive at the facility at 2:45 p.m. Upon arrival students will engage in a daily welcoming ritual, snack, and restroom break.  Monday-Wednesday this is followed by two grade level specific rotations of reading and math homework assistance and tutoring from 3:10 p.m. – 4:55 p.m. On Thursdays all grade levels will engage in science learning opportunities.  Fridays will be devoted to integration of reading, math, and science content through participation in learning games and activities. The end of each day from 5:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. concludes with a nutritional meal for students and families.  The last thirty-minutes of the day will be devoted to cleaning and resource organization, a daily closing ritual and home departure (parent pickup and bus) at 6:00 p.m.

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All activities for the summer camp and after school program are orchestrated by the LIFT Program Director.  The hands-on components will be delivered by LIFT program tutors, volunteers and staff members.

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Due to being a small program in Greensboro, North Carolina, the organization will depend on signage, brochures, media and word of mouth to publicize our program.  Students and parents will be made aware of the program via school announcements. In May, a representative from the organization will be present at a PTA meeting to provide information. Further, representatives will be present at 3rd quarter report card night and other parent activities to ensure parents are aware and familiar with the program.

Approximately fifty-seven (57%) percent of annual funds will be targeted to provide direct services to students in our summer camp and after school program. Forty-three  (43%) percent of funds will be utilized for operational costs (employees, rent, utilities, etc.). Ninety percent of our programmatic time is devoted to providing direct services to students enrolled in our program.  The remaining program time: approximately twenty percent is devoted to planning, cleaning, purchasing supplies, schedule and any other necessary task that facilitates program goals.

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Daily tutors will be paid $25 per hour.  However, whenever possible volunteers will be used to reduce program costs.  All tutors are required to have a minimum of two years of college and have a level of proficiency in the area(s) being taught.

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The LIFT Program Director will be required to have a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in education, preferably with a specialization in special education or reading instruction.

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All staff and volunteers will have a background investigation facilitated by the state of North Carolina.

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Counseling services will not be provided. Based on need, referrals to the appropriate agencies will be made. 

All LIFT Summer Camp and After School activities will be funded by fundraising, donations, and state/federal grants. All services provided to LIFT participants are rendered at no cost to families.

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LIFT Summer Program July 2025

Summer Camp arrival is 8:00 a.m.  Students will engage in a daily welcoming ritual, snack time, and restroom break.  This is followed by students being broken up into grade level specific groups.  All students will have a three subject area rotation schedule.  Each rotation for reading, math, and science is 45 minutes. The next transition is a thirty-minute lunch break beginning at noon.  The afternoon is designed to facilitate thinking, problem solving and social and emotional skill development.  Students will have a menu of choices ranging from technology courses, indoor and outdoor games, arts and crafts (maker space), small engineering projects and thinking games focused on social and emotional skills development.  The last thirty-minutes of the day will be devoted to cleaning and resource organization, a daily closing ritual and home departure (parent pickup and bus).

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Except for community field trips, all activities will be conducted at 3222 Summit Avenue, Greensboro, North Carolina 27455. Tutoring, Mentoring and other activities will be from 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., Mondays through Thursdays.  Fridays will be designated as days for parental involvement, outside speakers, student project presentations and community field trips.

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The summer camp will be closed on all Federal Holidays and inclement weather days.

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Evaluation

The LIFT After School program will be evaluated in two ways. Evaluation of the program will consist of qualitative and quantitative measures. Qualitative data will be collected quarterly from students, parents, teachers, and tutors.  Each group’s perceptions will be captured regarding their opinion of the program’s quality and effectiveness of content, students’ academic gains and behavioral improvements. Quantitative data from the 2024 state assessment will be used as baseline data.  Benchmark assessments will be given quarterly by Rankin Elementary to monitor progress and program shifts that may be needed to facilitate growth and performance.  The final evaluation of the LIFT program will be the analysis of end of year/grade state assessment data.  The goal is for each student to achieve an increase in both growth and performance at a level ranging from five to seven percent.

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Expected Learning Outcomes

The expected learning outcomes of the LIFT After School program is for the students to gain a better appreciation and understanding of math, reading, and science by participating in STEM daily activities. The students will take part in different activities and learn about the science and application behind them. They will also be able to interact with people in these fields. By creating an environment that is interactive, engaging, rigorous, fun, and stimulating, it will increase their likelihood of growing both academically, socially, and professionally.