Expanded learning time is one key element of Nativity’s success at helping students to catch up with their better performing suburban peers, prior to entrance to high school. Our extended program provides students with about 550 more contact hours per year than students attending a typical public school. Our extended program provides students with more time on task and for increased depth and breadth of content. It allows students the necessary time to master coursework, and to dig more deeply into the subject matter, allowing for multiple educational approaches that reinforce and augment students’ learning. It also provides increased opportunities for enrichment activities. Finally, expanded learning time allows for greater relationship building between teachers and students, with more opportunities to interact in a variety of settings, which can help lead to high academic achievement.
The extended day commences with the close of classes at 3:00 pm. Students receive a snack before beginning the homework lab that runs from 3:15 to 4:30, Monday through Thursday. There they receive help with that day’s homework assignment or work one-on-one or in groups with volunteer tutors and mentors. The homework lab is overseen by our certified teachers who integrate the activities offered with specific academic objectives set for each student.
At 4:30 the students break to participate in a wide variety of enrichment activities that are scheduled in six-week long blocks throughout the year. These activities are designed to expose students to a wide variety of cultural and recreational activities, encouraging students to explore their unique skills and passions. Some activities are offered in single-sex format, others are co-educational. Our goal is to offer a wide range of individual and team sports (cross country, soccer and basketball), SCRABBLE and Chess club, LEGOS Robotics, Readers Theatre, cooking, and arts and crafts as well as new activities like dance, swimming, ice skating and jazzercize. These activities are programmed and coached by both paid and volunteer instructors, and by our AmeriCorps teaching interns. Students also work on service learning projects in the community.
Students are transported home each evening by buses provided by the RCSD.
On alternating Saturdays, students attend a 3 – 4 hour enrichment session. During these sessions students participate in league sports, visit area museums, attend theatre and musical performances, or tour area cultural destinations, like the Farmer’s Market, Children’s Book Festival or Mt. Hope Cemetery.
