Before the final bell rings on a Friday afternoon, many students are already planning what they are going to do with their two-day break from school. Returning to school on a Saturday for more learning probably is not among their plans.

However, one elementary school has students eagerly waiting to come through the doors on Saturdays for extra help with their studies. For six years, North Fayette Elementary has been holding what it calls Super Saturday.

The Saturday school is open to all students who want to bone up on their reading and math skills. On selected Saturdays from 10 a.m.-noon, the school makes available two computer labs where students can use special software to complete lessons, take Accelerated Reader Tests or practice the CRCT (Criterion Referenced Competency Test) online. A software program called SuccessMaker provides students with both math and reading lessons and stores data on each student’s performance so that teachers can identify areas of difficulty.

Students can also attend special classes targeted at specific reading and math skills that have been identified as needing improvement. The school uses CRCT data from the previous year to determine these classes. Saturday school also gives various academic teams time to practice and parents a convenient opportunity to hold meetings.

Attendance varies but usually around 50-80 students and their parents show up. Principal Jade Bolton says the program has made a significant improvement in academic performance. Students have made gains on the CRCT in all grades in the last several years with more students scoring in the “exceeds” category and fewer placing at the “does not meet” level.

“I think our rising CRCT scores as well as data from STAR (Standardized Testing and Reporting), SuccessMaker and classroom assessments speak volumes to the academic improvement we see,” says Bolton.

Super Saturdays are held several times during the school year. The school opens the four Saturdays prior to ITBS (Iowa Test of Basic Skills) testing, which takes place at the beginning of the school year, and then starts back up in January for the Saturdays leading up to the CRCT.

The school is staffed by teacher volunteers who monitor the labs, assist with tutoring and teach lessons. It also has students from the Whitewater High Beta Club and Key Club volunteering as tutors at each session.

“Having the high school students participate has been great. We usually have about six to seven of them each time,” says Bolton.

While some schools do not view Saturday school as the best way to help their students gain additional academic guidance, Bolton says it is a viable option that more should consider.

“In this time of high accountability, schools are racking their brain trying to come up with creative measures with less money. I know Saturday school has not been a popular idea at other schools, but it works here and our parents love it. I know that it positively impacts student learning and team building,” Bolton explains.

The school will hold its final Super Saturday of the year on March 25. Sessions will begin again in late August 2006 leading up to the ITBS test.

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