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Programs will serve students in K-12th grade
November 10, 2021 – Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS) and Bates Community Development Corporation (CDC) today announced a partnership to provide additional academic support and enrichment opportunities to students in kindergarten through 12th grade.
The Kingdom Academy Academic and Enrichment Learning Hub will be operated Monday through Friday out of the Camp Edwards Education Complex.
“Extended learning time and opportunities like this are vitally important for our JCPS community,” said JCPS Superintendent Dr. Marty Pollio. “This partnership will allow students to continue being engaged after the school day has ended, and will provide whatever assistance they need, whether it’s academic help, social-emotional support, mentorship, or just taking advantage of a class that interests them.”
To support students during Non-Traditional Instruction (NTI), Bates CDC operated a learning hub at the complex to give students a safe, connected environment to continue their virtual learning. Today’s announcement expands those opportunities for students, with additional instructional time and support services offered after school and into the early evening.
The collaboration provides more space for students to take part in a variety of offerings including academic tutoring, cultural diversity classes, art therapy, cooking and entrepreneurship classes and a mentorship program.
“Our students need us more now than ever before,” said Pastor F. Bruce Williams, board chair of Bates CDC. “We are glad to be back in this space, where we held our learning hub for students during remote learning and where so many students found success during NTI. We believe we are on the right track to being a part of the change that we want to see for students in our community.”
Officials said the program will serve up to 100 students a day. Services, which will continue through the end of the 2021-22 school year, will be open to all JCPS families with a focus on those living in the Smoketown community.
“JCPS is proud to continue developing important partnerships like this to assist our families, particularly those in historically underserved areas,” said Jefferson County Board of Education chair Diane Porter. “With its central location in the community, the Kingdom Academy at Camp Edwards is a convenient site for many of our students, who will be able to walk to the center.”
Families interested in registering their students for the service can contact Bates CDC at 636-0573.