A Success Story - S.T.A.R After School Program

In 2004, the Decatur Housing Authority (DHA), City Schools of Decatur, and the City of Decatur Recreation Department formed a collaboration to offer the S.T.A.R (Successfully Teaching Academic Readiness) After School Program - a diversified educational and recreational program - to better serve the youth of the Decatur Housing community. 

The S.T.A.R program serves children in grades K-5 on weekdays during the school year from 3-6:00 pm. Initially, it began as an afterschool activity program focused on preventing drug use and other negative behaviors. But later, DHA recognized that more than an anti-drug program was needed because children in its communities were not achieving at the same level in school as other students. 

Quality, academic-oriented afterschool support was also essential. Additionally, to maximize participation, encourage parent involvement, and build community support, the program needed to be in the community where it was convenient and could easily be seen. 

Currently, the S.T.A.R program has 67 participants daily. Through funding received from City Schools of Decatur, the program is staffed by four certified teachers, three teaching assistants, and one academic coordinator. In addition, DHA agreed to hire an additional teacher or teaching assistant to maintain a ten-to-one-student-teacher ratio. Recently, a new technology lab has been placed at the Community Center through a grant funded by the United Way of Metropolitan Atlanta.

For more information on the STAR program, please contact John Janick with the Decatur Housing Authority at 404-270-2109 or email John. 

Originally published by Georgia Afterschool Investment Council July 2006 Newsletter.