By David Martinez
Copyright hoodline
The City of Tempe is doubling down on efforts to bolster educational opportunities for its students, ushering in a suite of programs and resources aimed at supporting school districts and families alike. From preschoolers to high school students gearing up for college, Tempe’s initiatives are providing a stepping stone to academic success and beyond. According to a City of Tempe recent report, the city’s programs like Tempe PRE and Kid Zone are already leaving positive marks, preparing children for the academic challenges ahead.
At the heart of Tempe’s educational embrace is the story of young Eric, who, due to his participation in the Tempe PRE preschool program, is now flourishing in kindergarten. His parents, Cinndy Serrano and Herbey Espinoza, have witnessed Eric’s growth in numeracy and language skills. “He was more than ready to start his kindergarten school year,” Serrano said in an interview with the City of Tempe newsletter. Eric’s boosted readiness is a testament to the efficacy of the city’s programming for not just one child, but countless others embarking on their educational journeys.
The city’s preschool offerings cast a wide net, serving approximately 180 children at six schools through Tempe PRE, with options that range from free to full-tuition. Nearly 90% of families reported seeing academic growth in their children after attending the program. The initiative is complemented by Kid Zone at Getz School, which provides flexible preschool solutions along with certified teaching staff. Such early education measures are critical, aiming to set youngsters on a successful educational pathway well before they hit the ever-important third-grade reading benchmarks.
But Tempe’s commitment doesn’t end when the school bell rings. The Kid Zone before-and-after-school program, a fixture for over four decades, serves roughly 3,000 children annually, blending homework assistance with enriching activities such as STEM and arts. Tempe also tackles literacy head-on, particularly for boys of color, through tutoring efforts in collaboration with national initiatives like the My Brother’s Keeper Alliance. “Data show many of these students fall far behind their counterparts and tutors can help close the literacy gap,” said Tim Burch, the City of Tempe Community Health and Human Services Director.
As students mature and start looking towards future careers, Tempe offers additional supports, such as free workshops and one-on-one advising through College Connect Tempe. This partnership with Tempe Union High School District helps demystify the college application process and connects students to local educational resources. Moreover, through programs like Career Ready Tempe, in partnership with the Tempe Chamber of Commerce and local businesses, students gain paid internship experiences, and this year, a noteworthy four interns were hired permanently by their employers after the program’s conclusion.
