School is out, but tutoring season is in
By Jazmine Knight
With summer school ending for some students, many might think it’s time to put the school supplies away. However, summer learning is proven to be essential so students don’t fall behind or regress over the break.
MidCity Excellence founder and CEO Kimberly Warren said their organization is trying to shape, mold and fortify the future leaders of America, which is why tutoring and summer programs are so important.
“Not of tomorrow, but they are leaders of today because we have vacancies in every genre and arena across the nation, in the workforce,” Warren said. “Our youth have a lot of time on their hands and they’re looking for significance.”
MidCity Excellence will soon be celebrating its 24th year of operation. In addition to many other programs, they offer a nontraditional tutoring experience for kids preschool to 12th grade.
“It’s very interactive because our kids have been dealing with trauma and real life events every day … so we provide a vibrant program where they can create experiments and explosions,” Warren said.
She said she believes tutoring and summer programs helps kids and teens stay out of trouble and surround them with positive role models. MidCity Excellence caters to each student’s needs so kids can be deliberate about their success.
“We take what was like, maybe an X-ray, and we make it a laser beam so we can just fine tune their gifts and talents,” she said.
This approach helps students avoid burnout from school. Warren said they go from hating school to being excited to learn.
“We are camouflaging learning so it’s palatable to them,” Warren said. “We want them to be alert, assertive and vibrant with it. Critical thinkers and problem solvers, and with our programs … they are learning.”
MidCity Excellence teaches concepts such as math, reading, languages, finances and more. They also pride themselves on teaching people skills like respect, responsibility and safety.
Typically, they offer tutoring and after-school programs from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday.
Warren said it’s important for kids and parents to be proactive instead of reactive when it comes to learning. Doing so can set the foundation for the rest of your life.
