More than 3,500 Students in Grades K through 12 Participate in the Saturday Morning
Tutoring and Mentoring Program at 12 Centers

Motivated and confident students. Students achieving on or above grade level and ready for more. These are some of the achievements that can be attributed to the George B. Thomas, Sr. Learning Academy (more commonly known as Saturday School), which has been serving students in Montgomery County for 20 years.

The tutoring and mentoring program has grown from 19 students and 21 volunteer tutors when it opened in 1986 to more than 3,500 students this year at 12 centers located throughout the county. The Saturday Schools program is closely aligned with the Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) curriculum and focuses on core subject areas. Students also are taught test-taking strategies and skills.

A key to success is commitment on the part of both students and parents. Students agree to come every Saturday. Parents commit to bring their children every Saturday and attend parent training. Also key are the dedicated teachers and volunteers who work to reinforce the MCPS curriculum.

“I’m very proud of what we have accomplished over the past 20 years with the Learning Academy,” said its founder, George B. Thomas, Sr. “Our growth would not have been possible without the steadfast support of our partners, most significantly Montgomery County Public Schools and the Montgomery County Government. I am especially appreciative of the support provided by Dr. Jerry Weast. He saw the value of our program and recognized the positive impact it had on academic achievement. It was his influence and support that helped us secure the funding and evolve into the organization we are today.”

Saturday School programs are offered on Saturday mornings from October through May at Montgomery Blair, Albert Einstein, Gaithersburg, John F. Kennedy, Col. Zadok Magruder, Northwest, Paint Branch, Rockville, Sherwood, Springbrook, Watkins Mill, and Wheaton high schools.

The opening session for the 2006-2007 school year will be held October 7. The program is open to all Montgomery County students in kindergarten through grade 12.

Some students come because they are not proficient in language arts and mathematics, said Michael Thomas, executive director. Some who are proficient come because they love school, and others come for enhancement. “We are open for all students, but our target goal is working for students in terms of closing the achievement gap,” he said.

Both parents and students are pleased with the outcome. “We brought my little girl to Saturday School because she was lacking in math and also in language,” said one parent. “We were amazed to see her improving and to have an A average through the whole year.”

“It’s been a great experience,” said student Chakera Pitts shortly after she began attending Saturday School. “At first, I was really struggling with math, but after we had a tutor and I understood the work I was doing, my grades changed to a B.”

To reach even greater numbers of students, particularly at the middle and high school levels, the Learning Academy will be expanding to include several extended-day and after-school programs this year.

Anniversary Gala on October 17

The growth and student achievement of Saturday School over the past 20 years will be celebrated at an October 17 gala to be held at the Bethesda North Marriott Hotel and Conference Center. A reception will begin at 6 p.m., and the dinner and program will get under way at 7 p.m. The first annual Friends of Education awards will be presented to Superintendent Jerry D. Weast, County Executive Douglas Duncan, County Council members Michael Subin and Marilyn Praisner, and Montgomery College President Charlene Nunley.

For more information about the gala, visit the link below.