St. Stephen Elementary is a Title I school located in the Berkeley County School District. The proposed name of our after school program is the St. Stephen Elementary Leadership Academy and it will serve 100 students in grades first through fifth. St. Stephen Elementary is the primary applicant requesting $100,000.00 for the first year of implementation, and for year two: $200,000.00, year 3: $150,000.00, and year 4: $127,500.00. The joint partners are: the Berkeley County Adult Education Department, Clemson Extension, St. Stephen Public Library, St. Stephen Recreation Department, Kids Café, and Communities in Schools. The SSE Leadership Academy will operate 5 days a week, Monday-Friday from 6:30 a.m. – 7:30 a.m. and from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. A 4-week summer program will operate from 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday for 16 days, during the month of June.

     A hot meal will be served daily to all participants through the Kids Café. Safe transportation will be secured through the Berkeley County School District Transportation Department. We will gather students’ most recent data and use the information to determine the focus of program activities and student achievement. Student progress will be measured on a continuous basis by reviewing formative and summative assessments with the 21st Century staff and the regular classroom teachers.

     The SSE Leadership Academy will utilize technology based project learning activities and an integrated curriculum with all of the core subjects. Participants will take day trips to various sites in South Carolina so that they can gain cultural exposure. During each year of the project, two events will be hosted for parents and community enjoyment. There will be a mid-year musical in December of each year, and a culminating event at the end of the year where students will showcase what they have done and learned throughout the year. All stakeholders will be surveyed quarterly for feedback on the success of the program and be invited to give feedback as to what can be done to improve the program.