The Charleston Promise Neighborhood

Expanded Learning Time ProgramsOur afterschool programs operate Monday through Friday and use innovative techniques to close the achievement gap for approximately 200 students in grades pre-k through fifth. During the academic block, certified teachers work with small groups of students to support them in the completion of their homework and practice skills learned in school day lessons. During the extracurricular enrichment block, students participate in activities that increase fine motor skills, broaden stem skills, and expose them to all forms of art. The summer programs serve about 300 students and include small group learning, extracurricular enrichment and field trips. (Continued on Schedule O)Students in these programs demonstrate fewer behavioral incidences and improved attendance and academic performance compared to their peers.

Community and Parent Engagement and Workforce Development Family Engagement Nights are a major part of our efforts to connect families, promote educational engagement, and foster a sense of community. These nights are designed to bring families together in a fun, educational environment that supports both learning and relationship building. Other family engagement events include literacy programs that support reading and comprehension, as well as special evenings like CPN Night at the Aquarium, where families explore marine life and conservation in an interactive, engaging way. Each event includes a warm meal provided by CPN, ensuring that families can relax, connect, and learn together. (Continued on Schedule O)We are committed to ensuring that neighborhood residents play an active role in community decision-making. Through its Community Engagement Council, we regularly bring together residents to plan engagement strategies, discuss community priorities, and gather feedback on important issues. The council's efforts are complemented by our work with Neighborhood Association presidents, who help increase meeting attendance and keep residents informed of local challenges and developments. This structured approach to engagement helps foster a connected, proactive community and ensures that residents' voices are at the heart of our initiatives. Our Workforce Development initiatives empower both students and adults to achieve long-term success. Middle schoolers gain mentorship, leadership training, life skills, and career exposure to prepare them for future opportunities, while adult residents receive career readiness support, job connections, and resource navigation to overcome barriers such as childcare, transportation, and financial stability. Together, these programs build confidence, open pathways, and strengthen the community.