In order to break the cycle of poverty in Maury & Giles Counties, Boys & Girls Clubs work tirelessly to ensure that all youth served remain on track to graduate high school on time by providing the tools they need to succeed. The graduation rate for Maury County Public Schools overall has declined steadily for the last three years –from 92.1% in 2017, to 90.9% in 2018, then 88.2% in 2019 and 2020. It increased to 89.2% in 2021, but dropped to 86.5% in 2022. In 2022, only 85.8% of Black youth and 85.3% of Hispanic youth graduated high school on time. Seventeen percent of Maury County students were chronically absent from school in 2022. Poverty only compounds the problem: among economically disadvantaged youth, only 79.5% graduated on time and 29.5% were chronically out of school in 2022. In contrast, 100% of Club seniors have graduated high school on time since the Club’s founding in 1999, thanks to our academic programs.

“Poverty compounds the problem: Students who have lived in poverty are three times more likely to drop out or fail to graduate on time than their more affluent peers…” – Annie E. Casey Foundation

To ensure Academic Success amongst all members, we created an award-winning Academic Case Management Program. This program combines:

• One-on-one tutoring by certified teachers
• Individualized case management using real-time academic and attendance data obtained through partnership with Maury County Public Schools & Giles County School System
• Weekly communication plan that connects tutors with parents, teachers, and Club staff to get everyone on the same page to help each child succeed
• Daily homework help and innovative software programs that drill core skills like reading and math

This program has demonstrated a very successful track record. Thanks to our 2016 expansion into the schools, 172 members received this intensive case management in 2018/2019. During the 2018-2019 school year, 70% of kids in the program improved their GPA from Q1 to Q4, 93% improved in at least one core subject, 92% scored an 18 or higher on the Future Aspirations survey (indicating a high level of career aspirations of positive goals for their future), and 100% percent progressed on time to the next grade level!

Based on academic data and demographics in under-served communities, we estimate that approximately 600 of our 1,200 youth need to be enrolled in this program.

Additionally, this program helps sustain and grow our college access and career preparation programs. Club members in grades 6-12th participate in targeted curriculum, regional college tours, financial aid workshops, mock interview training, resume writing workshops, and more. Through our robust Teen program, members receive individualized coaching through the choices of college, careers, and planning for their futures. The Club has even helped its members secure part-time jobs in the community!

In 2019, our organization received the Program Honor Award from Boys & Girls Clubs of America for the best academic program in the nation. This program has also been recognized by Boys & Girls Clubs in Tennessee with Program Excellence Awards for having the top academic success program in the state in 2014, 2017, and 2018.

As a result of the Academic Case Management Program, 100% of Club seniors have graduated high school on time since the Club was founded in 1999.

In order to combat summer learning loss for our members, we implement a fun and exciting hands-on learning program called Summer Brain Gain. Summer Brain Gain adds engaging, educational activities to Boys & Girls Clubs’ summer programs experience. Weekly, project-based learning modules feature themes such as architecture, the environment, and outer space.

Click here to learn more about our Academic Success programs for K-5th grade youth.