NESSC School Redesign in Action

SquashBusters, DelSesto Middle School, and Moses Brown School are ideal partners. Each has a laser focus on personalization, and all have committed to working together to expand opportunities for urban youth in Providence. SquashBusters (SqB), a 22-year-old sports/academic-based afterschool program, uses the sport of squash, education, and relationships to change lives of urban youth. Of SqB's participants, 92% are students of color, and 98% matriculate to college.

Relationship building, which starts with deep connections with school administration, teachers, and families, is core to creating personalized learning pathways at SquashBusters and its partner schools. All parties work together and focus on the social and emotional needs of students to ensure their overall success. Learning about the individual needs of each student remains the most essential element that helps determine initiatives and supports. With small student-group settings and dedicated staff members, partners are able to support young people in the classroom, on the court, and in their lives.

In this session, participants will hear from SqB students and program leadership about how partners have joined forces to support underserved youth and unite a larger community. Participants will grapple with ideas about equity, education, and personalization, and will discuss criteria for development of effective partnerships with community-based organizations (CBO).