Middle and High School Programming
Homework Time and the Homework Zone
With its innovative Homework Zone program reaching more than 50,000 students across 25 Philadelphia and Camden middle and high schools, the Center learned what it takes to make homework time work well—for everyone.
Based on our experience, the Center provides training and tools to help programs around the country rethink and redesign homework time to become a school-linked program component with a child- and youth-development perspective.
The key to the Center's homework program is to create a more home-like environment—not to recreate study hall. We believe all students would rather do well than fail, so we can hold high expectations for work within a culture of friendship, caring, and connection.
Our homework program design includes:
- Creating a relaxed but focused work environment
- Fostering peer and cross-age group work
- Providing adults as coaches, actively encouraging, supporting, and tutoring
- Offering choices among skill-building activities and mini-lessons
- Providing materials and supplies
- Bridging communication with schools and families
Results from the Homework Zone in Philadelphia showed that when offered the right kind of support, kids take it. As a drop-in program, attendance in the Homework Zone tripled in three years—from an average of 1,000 visits per school to almost 3,000. Why? Because it worked for the students, who told us:
- “I never did homework before; now I do it every day.”
- “I can sit and relax with my friends and do work.”
- “My grades went up from F, to D, and now to B. I want to get A's. My mother is so proud.”
Participants in trainings based on the Homework Zone model or those using the Homework Zone Program Pack also see results:
- "We have completely restructured the way we do the homework help piece of our afterschool program. We are now working to change the district's view of homework."
- "I felt stuck in a rut with homework time. By implementing some fun activities, it changed the entire atmosphere of homework time."
And so do teachers:
- “I had eight students walk down the aisle at graduation because of the Homework Zone.”
- "When I visit the Homework Zone I just can't believe how many students are taking advantage of this opportunity and loving it."
- My students look forward to attening the Homework Zone program. It was a greate experience for them both academically and socially, students helped each other as well as receiving guidance from the teacher mentors."
Prep Zone
The Center recently received funding from Pennsylvania's 21st Century Community Learning Centers to fund a new high school initiative: Prep Zone.
To obtain funding, we went through the same rigorous research, program design, writing, and budgeting experiences that all 21st CCLC grantees share across the country. We are as grateful as other grantees to have this critical public support for serving high school students.
The Prep Zone encompasses five Philadelphia charter high schools. It applies research and experience to a new program design tailored specifically to high school students.
To promote engagement with positive activities after school and build 21st century skills, the Prep Zone Consortium of schools offers its students two choices:
- Prep Zone Hub: An open-door drop-in center for academically based activities, test prep, college information, homework resources, reading and study skill-building.
- Prep Zone Plus: Commitment to a set of individually-driven activities developed in consultation with a learning coach, and culminating in a portfolio and presentation of learning. Activities may include off-site jobs, childcare, music and sports, among others, or on-site, in-depth learning projects. If the portfolio and demonstration meet the established standard, schools grant credit for the work. Students may choose this option on a semester-by-semester basis.
As we collect data and results from the Prep Zone initiative, we will share them on this site.
Celebrate Success Project
In 50 9th grade afterschool classes across 32 Philadelphia schools, students wrote a 'grant' to fund their end-of-year celebration. The amount of the award was based on group attendance. To put math and English to work in an applied project—and to see how community organizations raise money—students were given an 'RFP'—a request for proposals document. This laid out the rules, which included deadlines, text, and budget. Students designed the celebration and applied for funds that had already been designated for an end-of-year party. Submissions were reviewed, award letters sent out, and students carried out their plans—from pizza parties, to college visits, movies, charitable donations, parent nights, and more.
Up Next: Pre-K through Grade 5 Programming
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