Staying After School Can Be Fun with NextUp RVA
Most middle school students don’t enjoy the thought of staying after school, but for middle schoolers in Richmond, it can make a big difference in their lives. NextUp RVA is currently working in five Richmond middle schools, and they have the statistics to prove after-school programs are a big success.
In 2013, a group of Richmond community and business leaders collaborated with Richmond Public Schools (RPS) to answer an important question: What would it take to put more RPS teens on a path to success?
The group devised a concept of an out-of-school time system (OST) based on research and best practices they gathered from around the nation. They established NextUp RVA to build and support a Richmond OST system focused on quality enrichments for urban middle school youth.
“Middle school years are a critical time in a student’s journey and it’s where, unfortunately, we see children start to check out and fall behind,” says Barbara Sipe, former NextUp RVA president and CEO and current president and CEO of the United Way of Greater Richmond & Petersburg. NextUp RVA engages youth in high-quality learning opportunities, academic support and enrichment through afterschool, summer, and weekend initiatives. “We really have something for everyone from culinary programs, business classes, creative writing, and a music program where students can learn how to DJ and mix music. Outdoor programs include rock climbing, running, and yoga.”
TowneBank is honored to support NextUp RVA as the nonprofit works to make a positive difference in the lives of Richmond middle school students.
NextUp RVA participants can choose from a variety of programs to learn new skills.When youth participate in quality OST programs, they feel more connected to their school and their peers. They learn new skills, find out what they are good at, gain confidence, and are engaged learners. The results have been wonderful. “Extending the middle school day to include learning enrichment makes a difference,” Barbara says. “We know we are reaching a diverse group of students who are experiencing challenges, whether that is poor attendance, struggling with grades, or behavior problems. NextUp RVA’s biggest success is a year-over-year statistically significant increase in school day attendance.”
The other big outcome from NextUp RVA’s system is the change in on-time graduation. NextUp RVA participants have a 92 percent graduation rate while the overall number in Richmond is 74 percent.
Barbara shares that recently a student ran up to tell her she had been accepted into the Governor’s School for Technology. “This student was with us all three years and signed up for the robotics program, computer literacy classes, and a drama class. She took advantage of all the programs that we offer. That led her to finding her passion and she can now apply that to her high school experience.”
TowneBank is honored to support NextUp RVA. “Pat Collins, TowneBank Richmond president, was part of the early conversations we had on how businesses could help students,” Barbara says. “He has always recognized the importance of these types of learning experiences for kids and he has been a wonderful advocate and champion for NextUp RVA.”
To learn more, visit NextUpRVA.org.