It's a sunny Wednesday afternoon in mid-February, and 30 students have pulled up to East Athens Community Center on a school bus, filled with pent-up energy and excitement. They're coming from Gaines Elementary School, a school known for its struggling academic scores and vast majority of impoverished students.
According to Georgia School Grades Reports, 74% of the school's student population come from "economically disadvantaged" households and the school has consistently received an "F" rating from 2014-2018 (based on the College and Career Ready Performance Index). These students are in need of the support and encouragement that after-school programs such as this provide through tutoring, mentorship and just plain fun.
Upon arrival, students from Gaines Elementary School congregate on the bleachers with student mentors from "Whatever It Takes" on February 13, 2019. WIT is a UGA organization dedicated to improving four critical areas of children's lives in Athens-Clarke County — academics, health, safety, and family-life. (Photo/Wellsley Kesel)
Tutors work with students at a makeshift "learning center" in the back corner of the East Athens Community Center gymnasium. While the set-up is minimal, this one-on-one time is invaluable to the development of the students who attend the program. (Photo/Wellsley Kesel)
A kindergarten student works on spelling with a tutor. Wednesdays are dubbed "Word List Wednesday" to place an emphasis on reading and writing. At Gaines Elementary, only 16.7% of 3rd grade students are reading at or above the grade level target. (Photo/Wellsley Kesel)
Second grader Lynden King reviews her planner for the week and confirms what homework needs to be done for the day. Unlike many of the kids in the program who were struggling to focus on schoolwork, King was silent and concentrated hard on her work. (Photo/Wellsley Kesel)