Squash Smarts

ABOUT SQUASHSMARTS

 

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Officers, Directors, Advisors, Staff & Friends

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SquashSmarts combines the sport of Squash with Academic Tutoring for under-served, urban youth in order to develop academic and athletic achievement. Founded in 2001, SquashSmarts is the 3rd program nationwide to utilize squash as a vehicle for changing young people’s lives.

 

SquashSmarts participants are recruited and selected at a pivotal age – 6th grade from Charles Drew and Morton McMichael elementary schools. Once selected, students remain in the program through 12th grade.  Our host, Drexel University, provides critical programming space and resources, including: squash courts, classrooms, offices and technology access.

 

Squash and Academic Sessions run Monday-Thursday from 3:30-6:00pm and Saturday from 10:00am-12:00 in the Daskalakis Athletic Center located at 33rd & Market Streets.

      

SquashSmarts fills a critical gap in the Philadelphia Public Middle School system, where no school-sponsored academic-athletic extracurricular activities currently exist for 6th, 7th or 8th grade students. To that end, SquashSmarts fosters Life Skills, enhances Academic Achievement and develops Squash & Fitness Skills in a positive Team Environment.

SquashSmarts Basic Goals…

 

Provide Focused, Structured Attention for middle and high school students in order to support individual academic and personal growth. "Attitude, Effort and Attendance” are the central building blocks of our program;

 

Promote Growth and Diversity in the Squash Community by reaching a population that would otherwise have little access to the game of squash. The United States Squash Racquets Association (USSRA) and its regional affiliate The Philadelphia Squash Racquets Association (PSRA) recognize and support the SquashSmarts’ mission and activities.

 

*Present Leadership and Community Outreach opportunities to our participants as well as to college students and adult volunteers in the surrounding area. SquashSmarts requires each student to complete 12 hours of community service per year. SquashSmarts also relies heavily on the spirit of volunteerism for its Academic Tutors and Squash Instructors.

Giving Kids Their Best Shot!