Academic Success

academic success As the world becomes even more interconnected, it is more critical than ever for our young people to develop the skills needed to compete in a global economy. Schools are a critical part of the “education equation.” Parents and family members are also integral to children’s success. There is, however, a third and often overlooked, crucial component of academic success: community-based organizations that can serve as partners in providing access to the programs and resources that both youth and families need to succeed.

BGCML is uniquely positioned to make a significant difference in the Academic Success of Muskegon County youth in blending the lines between school and home. When young people enjoy school and feel a sense of accomplishment, they are more likely to finish school and go on to post-secondary education or additional job training- and to become the lifelong learners we want them to be. The academic success programs are designed to ensure that all Club members graduate from high school on time, ready for a post-secondary education and a 21st-century career.

97% EXPECT TO COMPLETE HIGH SCHOOL

62% of registered BGCML Club youth skipped school ZERO days in 2018!

DID YOU KNOW 65% of our high school members reported C grades or Higher in 2018?

Together, we are developing globally competitive graduates

Exposure to science, technology, engineering and math is critical during the tween years, when young persons’ natural curiosity drives interest and builds capacity for success in these disciplines

Project Learn reinforces the academic enrichment and school engagement of young people during the time they spend at the Club.

Students do much better in school when they spend their non-school hours engaged in fun, but academically beneficial, activities. Through Project Learn, Club staff use all the areas and programs in the Club to create opportunities for these high-yield learning activities, including leisure reading, writing activities, discussions with knowledgeable adults, helping others, homework help, tutoring and games that develop young people’s cognitive skills. Project Learn also emphasizes parent involvement as well as collaboration between Club and school professionals.

LEGO Robotics - developed to engage and motivate elementary age Club Members’ interest in learning science and engineering-related subjects through the use of motorized LEGO models and simple programming. The curriculum facilitates and supports a clear, easy-to-follow journey through hands-on projects covering science topics such as life-, physical-, earth- and space sciences, and engineering and technology. This unique combination of the LEGO brick, classroom-friendly software, and inspiring, standards-based science projects results in a resource that supports a hands-on “minds on” learning solution. This learning solution gives BGCML Members the confidence to ask questions and the tools to find the answers and to solve real-life problems.

Summer learning losses can stack up from year to year, causing low-income children to fall further and further behind, ultimately endangering their chances of high school graduation. Each Summer BGCML combats summer learning loss with Summer Brain Gain - a summer learning loss prevention program comprised of one-week modules with fun, themed activities for elementary school, middle school and high school students that are aligned with common core anchor standards.

As a result, kids develop higher-order thinking skills through the Summer Brain Gain modules while staying on track for the coming school year.