The Arthur Ashe Children's Program

The Arthur Ashe Children's Program (AACP) is our flagship after school program, serving approximately 450 at-risk students in grades 2 through 9 at 20 DC schools (13 elementary and 7 middle/junior high) in DC’s most underserved neighborhoods (Wards 5, 6, 7, and 8). This is the 14th year for this free-of-charge academic, athletic, and life skills program. The program uses the same academic and tennis curriculum for all of the elementary schools and employs DC Public School teachers and certified coaches trained by WTEF.

In 2003, a study by the Edna McConnell Clark Foundation (EMCF) concluded that the annual school promotion rates of children in the AACP are higher and the absence rates lower than those of the general school population.

The AACP elementary school program provides two days dedicated to academics and two days devoted to tennis instruction each week. On Tennis days during the fall (September – November) and spring (April – June), students receive tennis instruction outdoors on neighborhood or school tennis courts for two hours, followed by 45 minutes for homework and one-on-one help from a teacher.

On Academic days, each day begins with 45 minutes to complete homework and receive one-on-one help, followed by participation in academic enrichment and life-skills activities. In the fall, students study English and Math questions, as well as facts relating to Black History to prepare for the AACP’s three month-long Academic Competition.

In addition, all elementary schools participate in discussion groups and write and perform skits for the six week-long AACP Life Skills Competition held in the spring. This year’s topic is “Leadership: In the Schools and In the Neighborhoods.”

As students mature, so does the programming. The AACP middle/junior high school program offers more advanced instruction in all areas through intensive six-week Tennis and Academic modules. During the warmer months (September – November and March – May), the second hour of programming is devoted to tennis instruction for all four days each week. This intensive tennis module allows for real improvement in a student’s athletic skills, resulting in an increased interest in the game, improved self-confidence and self-esteem, and an identity as a “tennis player” among his/her peers. During the winter months (January – March), the students switch focus and participate in an intensive academic module.

AACP middle/junior high students also participate in a project of their design that involves the use of reading, writing, and math skills in ways different from standard drills and exercises. For example, one school’s project was entitled “The Marketing of Tennis Apparel.” Students developed a fashion line of tennis gear in a project that incorporated discussions on supply and demand, marketing, design, and sales, along with the financial aspects of starting a business. Other projects included “How to do Stock Analysis,” “Pollution and the Environment,” “A Community through the Arts,” and “How to Operate a Community Tennis Program.” A panel of volunteer judges visits each school to observe final project presentations and to score the projects.

WTEF’s Center for Excellence

WTEF’s Center for Excellence (CFE) offers after school academics, tennis instruction and competition, college preparatory activities, and life skills training for Washington, DC at-risk children and youth, grades 1-12. The CFE meets at the William H.G. FitzGerald Tennis Center in Northwest DC.

In the spring of 2006, for the ninth consecutive year, 100% of graduating CFE seniors have gained admission to college.

The CFE meets four days a week from 4–7 pm and five days a week from 9:00am – 3:00pm during the summer at the William H.G. FitzGerald Tennis Center at 16th & Kennedy Sts, NW. Students start each program day with a nutritious snack, followed by 90 minutes of academics and 90 minutes of tennis instruction. Each student’s reading and math abilities are assessed in September, allowing for that student to spend much of the CFE’s academic component on individualized activities to strengthen vocabulary, reading, writing and math skills. Students also have the opportunity to receive one-on-one tutoring and time to complete homework assignments. During tennis instruction, students run, do stretches, perform drills, and participate in match play. Students also benefit from learning introductory sports science, nutrition, and fitness. The program builds healthy bodies and teaches self-confidence and self-discipline – skills that are valuable both on and off the court.

In addition, the CFE hosts a variety of activities on Fridays and/or Saturdays for both students and parents. Activities include guest speakers, college tours, college preparatory activities, and cultural outings. Guest speakers talk about career topics, such as the law, journalism, art, writing, business, education, and community work. An Alumni Day is scheduled for spring 2007, when CFE students will be paired with CFE alumni for peer-to-peer discussions about higher education and career interests.

During the summer, students continue with tennis and exercise instructions as well as play chess, participate in a summer reading program, keep a journal, do arts and crafts, and go on educational excursions to local sites of interest. Each year there is the opportunity for students to play in the historically black American Tennis Association (ATA) national tournament that is held at different locations across the country each year. As well as providing a strong incentive for the students to excel, the ATA offers many of the students their only opportunity to visit colleges outside of the local area.

The Arthur Ashe Reading Is Fundamental® Program

The Arthur Ashe Reading Is Fundamental® Program (AARIF) is a free-of-charge literacy program that WTEF makes available to students from neighborhood schools in Wards 4 and 5 each week. The AARIF meets at WTEF’s facility in the William H.G. Fitzgerald Tennis Center in Rock Creek Park.

Children in the AARIF are provided with group and individual age-appropriate activities to improve their competence in reading, writing, spelling, and speaking through a theme-based curriculum, which includes Black History Month topics, Reading in the Classics, and Science in Our Lives. The AARIF offers 45 minutes of academics and 45 minutes of tennis instruction as an enhancement to the students' own school's curriculum during the school year.

WTEF's Community Outreach

WTEF's Community Outreach component brings tennis instruction to five DC Public Schools during their regularly scheduled P.E. periods. During the summer, WTEF partners with five area summer camps to offer a one-week session of tennis instruction to hundreds of children.