One of our operating principles is to use data to see what helps students grow holistically and expanding those programs. One of the programs that has seen early success in the Jefferson Area is OpenWorld Learning. OpenWorld Learning (OWL) teaches elementary and middle school students advanced computer technology in afterschool and summer programs.

OpenWorld Learning started in the Jefferson Area at Edgewater Elementary in the fall of 2013. OpenWorld Learning staff have seen an increase in attendance and standardized test scores as well as self-confidence in the students who attend OWL.

Now with new funding from the 21st Century Community Learning Center grant, OWL will expand to Lumberg Elementary, Stevens Elementary and Jefferson Junior High. This means that we are one step closer to realizing our dream of a computer coding pathway from elementary to high school. Now we need to concentrate on how we can expand OWL to our last focus school, Molholm Elementary.

Here’s a view for what OpenWorld Learning offers featuring students and staff from Edgewater Elementary: