Golden Gate Middle School Principal Advocates for After-School Programs Amid Challenges
Dr. Jennifer Knutkowski
In addition to overcoming post-pandemic achievement gaps and disruptions following Hurricane Ian, Dr. Jennifer Knutkowski, principal of Golden Gate Middle School, faces another significant challenge.
A significant number of Golden Gate Middle School students are English Language Learner (ELL) students and arrive in the United States with limited proficiency in both their native language and English, which is seldom spoken at home. Dr. Knutkowski actively encourages families to seek additional opportunities for their children and themselves to build confidence in speaking and reading their new second language. She strongly advocates for after-school and summer programs, recognizing their potential to make a significant difference for students who are not yet achieving at grade level.
The Grace Place after-school program incorporates literacy into every aspect of its four-day-a- week schedule. Josh Edel, Middle School Program Manager, states, “Whether it’s homework help, a new STEM project, or playing sports, language learning occurs every day. Throughout the school year, we collaborate closely with Golden Gate Middle School teachers and counselors to ensure our students’ continuous progress.”
Parents of middle school students are taking note of their children’s improvement. According to Paola A., the mother of an 8th-grade student, “My son Ares’s reading has significantly improved since he started the afterschool program at Golden Gate Middle School, and he is enthusiastic about attending this session’s Choice Academies. His favorite Choice Academy is ‘2nd Language Learning’ because he has a passion for being bilingual.”
Academics, wellness, and self-esteem are the cornerstones of the program, with a strong emphasis on literacy, personal responsibility, and making positive choices. Dr. Knutowski believes that after-school programs like Grace Place also play a crucial role in keeping students engaged and motivated.
“Students always benefit from additional academic support and develop advanced social skills by attending an after-school program. Plus, their homework is completed before dinner, allowing for quality family time,” she adds, emphasizing the practical benefits of after-school programs.
Enrollment in the Grace Place Middle School after-school program has grown by 20%, from 136 to 156, and average attendance has increased by 80% in the last year.
Language proficiency is often cited as a key factor in high school graduation and career success.
