The One World G8 Academy is an afterschool program to re-engage high potential yet underperforming 8th-grade students so they are ready for high school. The goals of the One World G8 Academy are to develop research and writing skills, improve students’ grades and attendance, and support social-emotional learning. Students work with One World’s highest-performing teachers and mentors in an afterschool experience that is relevant, supportive, and challenging.
In Washington, DC, 60% of DC 8th graders are not writing at grade level. Middle school principals see the need for extra writing instruction. High school principals want to see improved freshmen writing skills. The One World G8 Academy prepares high potential but underperforming 8th-grade students with the writing skills for the transition to high school.
Students meet on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 5:00-7:00PM from September through December at the newly renovated MLK Library. Following a hot dinner, students build relationships with caring instructors and peers, practice academic skills in small groups, and apply feedback one-on-one with mentors as they identify, research, and write on social justice topics that are important to them. Students learn every step of the research, writing, and presentation process and at the end of the G8 Academy, they participate in a One World Challenge and compete for $5,000 in awards.
Who Should Schools Nominate? This Student Selection Rubric will guide your school team design.
Ready to learn more? Contact our After School Program Manager, Jessie Grosshart.
To know that a lot of people saw my essay and saw my opinion on the situation means a lot because my voice was heard.
One thing I learned is to ask for feedback. When you have more people going over your work, you can find your faults and what’s good about your work.
I learned how to shorten my arguments without taking focus away from the important points.
