Houston A+ Blog

In an effort to provide quality after-school programming to families, children, and communities in the greater Houston metro area, the Houston A+ Challenge created the "Passport to Success" Model.  Funded by the Annenberg Foundation,  this after-school program was piloted at Gallegos Elementary School and Edison Middle School, located in the Houston Independent School District's Southeast administrative district,.  The selection of these schools was based on meeting the following seven criteria:

• More than 85% of students qualify for the free/reduced lunch program;
• More than 65% of the students are "at-risk," as defined by the Texas Education Agency;
• More than 50% of the students are Limited English Proficient;
• More than 70% of students are minority;
• The school is located in the inner city; 
• The school has  identified a need to meet at least 10 of the 17 "Passport to Success" program goals; and 
• The elementary school will enroll at least 75 students into the program; and the middle school will enroll 100

Two Houston A+ Challenge schools are sites for the "Passport to Success" After-School program funded by the Annenberg Foundation on their campus.  The following is a listing of the schools and campus contacts for this initiative:

"Passport to Success" at the above campuses revolves around strands of the Arts in a variety of ways to include writing plays and acting.  Field trips are planned monthly to art institutions such as Jones Hall, Wortham Theater, and the Museum of Fine Arts.  Families are invited to attend field trips as possible.  Workshops are conducted by the Community in Schools counselor.  Parenting skills are offered, as well as a six-week class. The Metropolitan Organization provides assistance to the schools as needed.  Further, the after-school programs at these campuses include the following components:

• Homework Lab - Students receive help and supervision as they complete their homework assignments.  

• Journal Writing - Students write daily reflections and practice writing letters to mentors.

• Leisure Reading - Students are encouraged to read books of their choice.  In addition, guest readers are brought in at the elementary level, and guest speakers are brought in at the middle level.  

• Whole Family Retreats - At least twice a year the field trip and parent classes combine on the same day to create a whole family retreat.  These retreats provide an opportunity for students to rotate through the "Passport to Success" program with their families. 

For information on a specific school, please contact the "Passport to Success" contact listed above.

Attain information on the

• United Way of Texas Gulf Coast "Passport to Success" After-School Program. 

Contact Michele Pola, Director of Programs