Program Impact

The program helped 92% of students maintain or improve their ELA standardized test scores and 7% move from below proficiency to approaching, meeting, or exceeding proficiency. Furthermore, according to DCPS school-day teachers, because of Kid Power programming, 63% of Kid Power showed improvements in regular classroom attendance, 43% showed an improvement in academic performance, and 51% showed an improvement in classroom participation.

The program helped students increase their civic knowledge, ability to design a service-learning project, and their confidence with debate and public speaking skills by 21%. Further, 73% of students reported increased understanding of the importance of helping others and 95% of parents said Kid Power helped their child understand the importance of community service.

Students showed a 17% increase in their nutritional, environmental science, and gardening knowledge.  Highlights included a 32% increase in students’ ability to identify different parts of a plant and a 16% increase in healthy food knowledge.    95% of parents reported that because of Kid Power programming, their students both understand the importance of making healthy food choices and able to make healthier food choices. Additionally, 91% of parents reported that their children now help cook healthy meals at home. In terms of social-emotional growth, 95% of parents said that their children have better conflict resolution skills, while 68% of surveyed students said that they have better self-confidence.  Additionally, 73% of youth demonstrated increased positive social behaviors, such as assertiveness, while 67% showed increased creativity.

On average, positive social-emotional scores increase 3% over the summer. Our daily Summer Leadership Academy serves 125 students and runs 7 hours/day for 5 weeks. Students participate in morning academic classes (ELA, Math, and Civics) and afternoon enrichment sessions based on the VeggieTime and Citizenship Programs. The Academy provides workforce development skills such as public speaking, marketing, financial literacy, team-building, and goal-setting. In just 5 short weeks, Kid Power saw significant growth.