Program Overview

Description of Programs

Smart Kids, Inc. is a public 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that was created to end the repeated cycles of poverty through education and to help our students, our future leaders become more successful. We operate three flagship programs under our umbrella: Tutors in the Classroom, Tutor Me Program (TMP), and Explore St. Louis Summer Camp (ESSC). Our tutoring will help strengthen subject comprehension, boost confidence, and build important learning skills that will give students individualized attention that they don't get in a crowded classroom. This helps children who struggle to keep up, as well as those who aren't challenged enough to get the undivided attention they need.

The Tutor Me Program's mission is we are committed to increasing the learning capacity of at-risk and low-to-moderate K-12 students by helping them realize their full potential. Through our flagship programs, the Tutor Me Program provides these students with 1:1 sustainable tutoring and academic support services. This program also provides homework help, charter development, and STEM activities. TMP operates every year, from September - May. Our program is made successful with the help of college students as our Student Tutors from our Community College Partnerships. Through these partnerships, we recruit college students through practicums, internships, federal work-study programs, and general volunteer projects/programs.

Tutors in the Classroom is when we have our tutors to come and tutor small group of students during school time hours.

Explore St. Louis Summer Camp (ESSC), where our mission is to provide underserved campers the opportunity to explore St. Louis through different events, exhibits, programs, and field trips outside their neighborhoods. These opportunities allow campers to explore different performances, shows, community events, and places. Activities include Arts & Crafts/DIY projects, STEM activities, financial literacy, computer enhancement skills, painting, nutrition & health education, Career Day, swimming, child cooking classes, and of course 1:1 tutoring. Our camp also provides campers with free breakfast and lunches, so no need for partners to pack their campers a lunch. ESSC runs from June to August each summer. ESSC has partnered with the Summer Youth Employment Program to hire youth to become Camp Counselors. This program allows youth to work during the summer; sometimes making us their first employer. We here at ESSC embrace our youth workers and become their mentors for the summer.

Since opening our doors, we have successfully serviced over 500 school-age students academically through the Tutor Me Program. Over the years, our program was implemented at the Urban Impact Center (St. Louis City - Lincoln University), University City School District at Barbara C. Jordan Elementary School, the Hazelwood School District, and Jennings School District at Woodlen Elementary School.

Currently, our school-age partners include Normandy Schools Collaborative, The Leadership School, and the Missouri St. Louis City Family Court-Juvenile. Our short-term goal for us is to partner with other school districts and charter schools within the Greater St. Louis Metropolitan Area. This goal will allow us to reach, tutor, and successfully provide the Tutor Me Program as a wrap-around service to the school districts, charter schools, and families/students.

EIN: 37-1709663

P: 314-884-1486

DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION

Smart Kids, Inc. engages with a lot of students, volunteers, and staff members of different ethnic groups. It is with great understanding that all participants recognize the importance of working side by side with people from different backgrounds. Our team deals with diversity everyday in the workplace, when providing our program services to students with the Greater St. Louis region. We make it a priority to discuss, implement, and practice the importance of policies and procedures of diversity training. We never want to make feel uncomfortable when participating in our organization.

Being that we all come from different backgrounds at Smart Kids, Inc., it is understood that we have great equity at all times. One of our first priorities is to treat everyone with respect and dignity. We also provide the same opportunities to enhance the student’s educational growth.

As an organization that deals with a lot of diverse students with different backgrounds, we want everyone to feel comfortable and for them to be themselves. It is already hard for students to seem perfect with social media telling them what is perfect and what it not. That is not our environment and we strive to make it a better experience when participating in our programs. We have all walks of life that we work hand in hand with and we aim for them to be their full selves. Being yourselves and being comfortable here at Smart Kids, Inc. makes it easier for you to be successful and really learn what you need better through our tutoring sessions.