Boys & Girls Clubs of the Peninsula

The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Peninsula (BGCP) is a vibrant, entrepreneurial nonprofit in the heart of Silicon Valley that is committed to partnering with schools to ensure the low-income youth of our community are on-track to graduate from high school, ready for college and career. BGCP is the largest ELT organization in Silicon Valley, serving 1,900 youth at nine sites in East Palo Alto, Menlo Park, and Redwood City. In neighborhoods where half of youth drop out of high school, BGCP members learn the importance of education and become part of a community of learners, wanting and expecting to do well in school.

Program Description

BGCP collaborates closely with the Ravenswood, Redwood City and Sequoia Union school districts to run ELT programs at six school sites. Our collaborative programs include:

After School

Every day after school students remain on campus and receive three hours of additional academic and enrichment instruction. Programs are tailored to grade-appropriate academic milestones:

• K – 5th: Project-based literacy programs and reading groups

Curricula and activities: Kidz Lit, Readers' Theater, & Speech Banquet

• 6th – 8th: STEM programs with hands-on projects around Science, Making, and Design-thinking

Curricula and activities: Code.org, Prototype It, Tech Challenge, Engineering is Elementary

Students receive small group instruction (1:15 mentor to student ratio) and participate in project-based and hands-on activities. Students with the greatest academic needs also receive case management and individualized support.

School Day

During the school day, in order to better support the academic progress of specific students, BGCP staff participate in School Site Leadership Councils, Grade Level Teacher Meetings, and Individualized Education Plan Meetings, as well as District professional development trainings. Staff also run selected enrichment classes and observe normal school day classes.

Summer

During our five-week summer program, which runs 8:00am to 4:00pm, students begin with three hours of instruction in English Language Arts, Math, and Science from credentialed teachers. The teachers are supported by a BGCP after-school staff member and 1-2 volunteers, resulting in a 6:1 ratio. The low ratio enables small group instruction where groups of 4-6 students work with an adult on project-based learning that promotes collaboration and effective communication in line with Common Core approaches. In the afternoons, students learn about college and career and participate in enrichment classes such as STEM, healthy cooking, sports and fitness, and art.

Program Goals

Our aspiration, in partnership with schools and families, is to help students be on-track to graduate from high school ready for college and career. On-track students:

1. Are at grade level proficiency in math and reading, or making progress every year toward that goal
2. Believe that education has relevance and value to them – and that school is cool
3. Have the confidence that they can succeed if they challenge themselves
4. Understand the variety of college and career options open to them
5. Form trusting and positive relationships with role models and peers at BGCP
6. Feel that BGCP is a safe place where they belong as part of a community
7. Have engaged families who support youths' academic and vocational goals with well-aligned behavior and attitudes

As BGCP deepens collaborative partnerships with the school districts, our foremost priority is to align around measurable academic, social, and life goals. We are looking for a leader who can help define what it means for our students to be on-track by grade level, implement shared measurement tools, and inspire staff to deliver catalytic programs that put students on a trajectory of success.