We believe:

  • Students thrive in a safe, supportive, and creative environment.
  • Students increase their commitment to school — and subsequently develop higher aspirations for their future — when they are engaged in a variety of dynamic learning activities.
  • Improved self-confidence develops in part through caring relationships with adults and peers.
  • Students, families, and the community will foster a variety of self-selected learning experiences.
  • Connecting school day academics to after-school learning programs increases the likelihood of student success in both.Student success is strengthened through school and community collaboration.
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Powerful Learning Centers = Community Schools

Summer Camp Catalogs and Schedules

We envision schools as vibrant community schools, rather than closing at 3 p.m. and going dark.

Our after-school program, Powerful Learning Centers, keeps kids off the streets with fun classes like circus skills, photography, gymnastics and choir (OK, we also have Homework Center). We also host Family Literacy Nights that support families with at-home literacy training. Anyone in the community is welcome.

Don't take our word for it, check out what Powerful Schools' students, teachers and families have to say by watching this student-produced video!

 

Take a class

Classes are held two afternoons a week at each school: Mon/Wed at Hawthorne and Orca, and Tues/Thurs at John Muir, Beacon Hill and Graham Hill. Each session lasts about 10 weeks.

Fall session: October - December
Winter session: January - March
Spring session: April - May
Summer session: June-July - NEW!

The fees are reasonable, and scholarships are available.

Past classes have included:

  • Chess
  • Comics and Cartooning
  • Writers Club
  • Book Craft
  • Life Skills
  • Explorations in Math
  • Mixed Media Art
  • Circus
  • Computer Blogging 
  • Sustainable Planet
  • Urban Dance
  • Quilting for the Family
  • East African Cooking
  • English Language Tutoring
  • Spanish, Japanese, Chinese, Arabic (language and culture)

How it works

Powerful Learning Centers offers more than 100 classes at five schools. We harness the talent of community members to teach what they know. Parents volunteer as site coordinators. It's a magical mix of generations and of neighbors.

My students are having so much fun! They rush out the door the second the bell rings for their Powerful Schools’ classes.
                                                                                 Teacher, Beacon Hill Elementary

Our Homework Center also provides tutoring, aligned with the school's curriculum, for rapid results in the classroom.

Get involved!

Results

The Powerful Learning Centers model is designed to support the Search Institute's 40 Developmental Assets. Over years of trying and testing classes, we've honed our program.

Powerful Learning Centers has their finger on the pulse of the community and responds readily to suggestions and feedback. We love the diversity of the classes they offer! Thank you, Powerful Schools, for giving our kids these wonderful opportunities. 
                                                                          Diana Bender, parent, Orca Elementary

Studies show that students in after-school programs look forward coming to school and are more likely to graduate. Our surveys show related academic and social gains.

My students love Powerful Schools’ classes! Learning is happening in exciting ways and in ways that differ from the regular school day.
                                                             Anne Superfisky, teacher, John Muir Elementary

What students say:

  • 93% got along better with other students during the school day
  • 93% made friends more easily
  • 60% felt they got in less trouble
  • 73% felt better about themselves overall
  • 87% felt they made better decisions in and out of school

I’ve noticed my daughter has started to hold her head a little higher since she started the Powerful Schools’ Taekwondo class! 
                                                                                     Parent, Beacon Hill Elementary

Teachers report:

  • 84% increase in homework completion throughout the year
  • 91% increase in reading skills throughout the year
  • 91% increase in math skills throughout the year
  • 87% increase in classroom participation
  • 82% increase in self-management skills

Homework Center at Hawthorne has made such a difference for my students this year. They have greater confidence and are more able to enjoy their work in the classroom. 
                                                               Jon Francois, teacher, Hawthorne Elementary

Ongoing surveys are conducted in partnership with Evergreen Research Institute, Seattle Public Schools Office of Community Learning, and the City of Seattle Department of Neighborhoods.

Also see: The Impact of After-School Programs: Interpreting the Results of Four Recent Evaluations