After School All Stars at Cheremoya

K-12 STEAM education

Pilot or new project, program, or initiative (testing or implementing a new idea)

Cheremoya is a Title 1 school with 80% of students at or below the poverty line. Currently, there are no after-school options for Cheremoya families, beyond what is provided by the free YSL and YDP programs that LAUSD provides. In comparrsion, some neighboring and more afluent schools have thriving after-school enrichment options. This dispariity in access to after-school enrichment opportunities directly effects disadvantaged student at Cheremoya and highlights one way that income innequality can contribute to underrepresentation in the creative economy and STEAM careers. When children have access, they have opportunity which can postively influence them for the duration of their academic studeies and into their professional carrers and life choices.

At Cheremoya Elementary School, many students face significant barriers to accessing after-school enrichment opportunities due to socioeconomic challenges. The LA2050 grant will support the Cheremoya After-School All-Stars, a program specifically designed to bridge this gap and provide all students, regardless of their financial background, with equal access to high-quality after-school activities.
The After-School All-Stars Initiative will offer a diverse range of programs, including art, music, sports, science, technology, engineering, and math (STEAM) workshops, as well as creative mediums including theater and photography. These programs are crucial for fostering creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills, which are essential for success in the creative economy and STEAM careers.
Income inequality often limits disadvantaged students’ exposure to these enriching experiences, leading to underrepresentation in these fields. By providing these opportunities at no cost to families, we aim to break down these barriers and ensure that every student at Cheremoya can explore and develop their talents.
Through this initiative, we hope to not only enhance the educational experience for our students but also to inspire and prepare them for future careers in the creative and STEAM industries, thereby addressing the broader issue of income inequality and its impact on career opportunities.

If our work with the Cheremoya Enrichment Initiative is successful, Los Angeles County will see a profound and positive transformation, particularly in disadvantaged communities. Success in our initiative will mean that more students from socioeconomically challenged backgrounds will have access to enriching after-school programs that foster creativity, critical thinking, and essential STEAM skills.
Specifically, Los Angeles County will benefit in the following ways:
Increased Educational Equity (Immediate and Long-term)
Enhanced Workforce Diversity (Long-term)
Stronger Communities (Immediate and Long-term)
Economic Growth (Immediate and Long-term)
Broader Cultural Representation (Immediate and Long-term)
Overall, the successful implementation of the Cheremoya Enrichment Initiative will contribute to a more equitable, prosperous, and culturally rich Los Angeles County, with lasting benefits for future generations.

To define and measure the success of the program we will implement a multifaceted evaluation approach that focuses on both qualitative and quantitative metrics. Here are the key components of our success measurement plan:
Student Participation and Attendance:
Success will be partially defined by the level of student engagement in the after-school programs. We will track the number of students enrolled in each program and their consistent attendance rates. An increase in participation, especially from socioeconomically disadvantaged students, will be a positive indicator.
Academic Performance: We aim to see improvements in students’ academic achievements as a result of their participation in enrichment activities.
Skill Development:
Definition: Success includes the development of key skills such as critical thinking, creativity, problem-solving, and collaboration.
Student and Parent Feedback: To help us understand the perceived value and impact of the programs.