Transforming Summer Learning with Junior AcadeME at Belding Elementary

In response to the growing need for engaging and educational youth programming during the summer, The Spur Group built Junior AcadeME at Belding Elementary to bridge the gap between traditional childcare and enriching summer experiences. By creating a diverse range of programs, it offered a fun, educational environment while meeting the scheduling needs of working parents. The program not only achieved high levels of satisfaction among students and parents but also reached its financial break-even point, setting a foundation for future growth.

🔍 The Opportunity

The Spur Group approached this project through a unique lens: not only as a continuing educator experienced in youth programming but as a parent. It was clear there was a significant opportunity to enhance the summer offerings for children in Chicago.

The frustration with existing programs—such as those provided by local community organizations and park districts—was that much of the programming was either of poor quality or prohibitively expensive.

This dilemma prompted the creation of a program that combined fun and learning in a meaningful way. Conversations with other parents revealed a common dissatisfaction with the lack of educational content and the high costs associated with current options. The challenge was to develop a program that not only entertained but also educated, providing real value to both students and parents.

At Belding Elementary, there was a tight window to implement our program: just the two weeks between school years to train staff, set up the infrastructure and set up classroom space. This allowed for approximately six weeks of summer programming.

The goal was ambitious: to deliver a high-quality, affordable program that exceeded existing options in value and satisfaction. This required careful planning, budgeting, and coordination to ensure that we could offer an engaging curriculum while staying within our financial plans.

"My child came home begging to go back to the program the next week! Loved the ‘Wacky Weather’ class and said it was the best week of his summer."

Allison, Junior AcadeME Parent

💡 The Solution

Junior AcadeMe was designed to be a dynamic summer program that would offer the sweet spot of youth programming: where kids could select classes tailored to their interests while each class was created to be educationally enriching. Additionally, the program was designed to accommodate working parents with a full-day schedule, including Before Care starting at 7:30 AM, morning and afternoon classes, lunch supervision, and After Care until 6:00 PM.

The first task was to create a curriculum that appealed to different age groups. For kindergarteners, the school utilized a program funded by the Chicago Public Schools (CPS) called “Kick Off to Kindergarten,” which helped ease the transition into formal schooling. Afternoon sessions featured hands-on activities designed to foster early learning in a playful setting. Older students were grouped by grades and interests, offering tailored programs for first and second graders, third and fourth graders, and fifth graders and up.

Junior AcadeME’s classes all incorporated academic subjects within engaging themes, such as rockets, airplanes, and creative arts. This approach not only met educational standards but also captivated students’ imaginations.

To keep costs manageable and competitive, pricing was targeted at approximately $5 per hour, aiming to be more affordable than traditional camps in the local neighborhood.

Additionally, the registration process was streamlined to be user-friendly and transparent. Neighborhood parents traded horror stories over classes disappearing out of their online carts, websites timing out and other obstacles that prevented them from securing the highly competitive classes. At Junior AcadeME, the registration system was built on a much more stable platform, and performed flawlessly on registration day even with high volumes.

Overall, Junior AcadeME has set a new standard for summer programming, proving that with thoughtful planning and execution, it is possible to create a rewarding and enjoyable experience for both students and their families.

📈 The Outcome

Junior AcadeME at Belding Elementary exceeded expectations in both participation and satisfaction. Enrollment topped 146 students – about a quarter of the student population – who collectively registered for 1,313 class seats.

Feedback from parents was overwhelmingly positive, with 100% of those surveyed confirming their children had fun. As one parent noted, “My child came home begging to go back the next week! Loved the ‘Wacky Weather’ class and said it was the best week of his summer.”

Despite some challenges like district-level funding changes, the program demonstrated financial viability. It even achieved its financial break-even point – a tall order for a first-year program. Moving forward, a stronger profit margin is expected, as first-year expenses are eliminated and the program continues to grow.

Mandi Durkin

Principal of Belding Elementary School

“Junior AcadeME provides the roadmap for high-quality, engaging, and diverse experiences for kids during out-of-school time,” said Durkin. “The flexibility and variety of the program options, coupled with the excellent communication and organization, made it a win for everyone in our community.”

Overall, Junior AcadeME has set a new standard for summer programming, proving that with thoughtful planning and execution, it is possible to create a rewarding and enjoyable experience for both students and their families.