5 Pillars of Programming
SquashSmarts is more than just a Squash and Academic program. SquashSmarts takes a multi-faceted approach to changing lives through 5 Pillars of Programming:
1. Academic Support
Middle school students are paired with volunteers and actively engaged through a hands-on enrichment curriculum focusing on but not limited to the basics of literacy and math. High school students receive homework support and extensive college and career preparation. In addition, our staff work to ensure that students get into the best possible high schools and colleges.
Middle school students are paired with volunteers and actively engaged through a hands-on enrichment curriculum focusing on but not limited to the basics of literacy and math. High school students receive homework support and extensive college and career preparation. In addition, our staff work to ensure that students get into the best possible high schools and colleges.
2. Squash Instruction
Squash is an indoor racquet sport played with a ball and a new opportunity for our students. Squash is a life-long game that was rated the "healthiest sport" and the #1 cardiovascular sport played with a ball, according to Forbes Magazine. Students receive both group and individualized squash instruction, participate in competitive match and tournament opportunities, and receive internal and national rankings.
Squash is an indoor racquet sport played with a ball and a new opportunity for our students. Squash is a life-long game that was rated the "healthiest sport" and the #1 cardiovascular sport played with a ball, according to Forbes Magazine. Students receive both group and individualized squash instruction, participate in competitive match and tournament opportunities, and receive internal and national rankings.
3. Fitness & Nutrition
Beyond learning the great game of squash, students complete a rigorous fitness curriculum that helps them stay in shape, combat obesity and develop healthy habits. SquashSmarts monitors and tracks each student's height, weight and blood pressure as well as their personal cardiovascular performance via the "beep test." Students are provided a healthy snack each day via Nutritional Development Services and complete a modern nutrition education curriculum designed by The Alliance For A Healthier Generation, a program created by the American Heart Association and the William Jefferson Clinton Foundation.
Beyond learning the great game of squash, students complete a rigorous fitness curriculum that helps them stay in shape, combat obesity and develop healthy habits. SquashSmarts monitors and tracks each student's height, weight and blood pressure as well as their personal cardiovascular performance via the "beep test." Students are provided a healthy snack each day via Nutritional Development Services and complete a modern nutrition education curriculum designed by The Alliance For A Healthier Generation, a program created by the American Heart Association and the William Jefferson Clinton Foundation.
4. Personal Achievement
SquashSmarts utilizes a "PACT" Evaluation system in which every student is measured daily on his/her Participation, Attitude, Conduct and Teamwork in both squash and academic instruction. Students are rewarded based upon their consistently high PACT and/or improvement in PACT. SquashSmarts firmly believes that every student is “his or her own campaign”. Our staff take active measures to ensure that each student is reaching his or her potential through individual goal setting, positive incentives and rewards. Students also participate in valuable "life skills" sessions ranging from sex education to how to navigate Septa.
SquashSmarts utilizes a "PACT" Evaluation system in which every student is measured daily on his/her Participation, Attitude, Conduct and Teamwork in both squash and academic instruction. Students are rewarded based upon their consistently high PACT and/or improvement in PACT. SquashSmarts firmly believes that every student is “his or her own campaign”. Our staff take active measures to ensure that each student is reaching his or her potential through individual goal setting, positive incentives and rewards. Students also participate in valuable "life skills" sessions ranging from sex education to how to navigate Septa.
5. Leadership
Students participate in an array of extracurricular opportunities designed to build teamwork and leadership. Through the community service program, students collectively serve over 500 hours per year through activities including neighborhood clean-ups, Cradles to Crayons, homeless shelters and more. In the summer, students choose between over 100 different summer camps and workforce development opportunities including Philadelphia Outward Bound, College Settlement and an array of squash camps including the Ford Williams Scholarship to England.
Students participate in an array of extracurricular opportunities designed to build teamwork and leadership. Through the community service program, students collectively serve over 500 hours per year through activities including neighborhood clean-ups, Cradles to Crayons, homeless shelters and more. In the summer, students choose between over 100 different summer camps and workforce development opportunities including Philadelphia Outward Bound, College Settlement and an array of squash camps including the Ford Williams Scholarship to England.