Saddleback College launches after-school program
Children watch curiously during an after-school art program. (CC BY 2.0/Flickr – Fort Rucker)
Saddleback College Community Education launched its first after-school program on 35 Capistrano Valley Unified School District sites last week.
“This partnership made a lot of sense for us, to work with Capistrano Unified School District and take over the after-school program because it is very similar to the College for Kids program,” said Estella Garrison, director of community education.
Usually during summer, not-for-credit education is offered in the campus’s Village, known as College for Kids, for a small fee.
“Pricing is a big deal to us because we want to make it affordable to as many in the community as possible, our maximum class fee is $90 for about six hours of instruction, lasting one hour each and some classes may require material fees,” Garrison said.
The after-school program caters primarily to elementary school children but will extend to middle and high school during the third session. Tutoring is also available at Aliso Niguel High School.
“We’re hoping to bring the college experience out to kids, out at there school sites to build a relationship early on to associate with college education,” Garrison said.
According to the American Psychological Association, and the UN convention, children have rights to their education because it effects the fullest potential in ones personality, ones talents, and ones mental and physical abilities. It also can increase a society’s entire well-being. It is proven that a high drop-out rate affects America’s economic outlook long term.
Flag football, cheerleading, art, science, culinary and tutoring are classes currently offered.
The second session will start Nov. 18. For more information, visit www.saddleback.edu/ce or call 949-582-4646.