Correction: A previous version of this story misspelled the name of student Atem Atem. The error has been corrected. (Nov. 16, 2023)

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Jefferson County Public School’s after-school program that helps students level up in math and English is adding to their curriculum with STEAM activities.

What You Need To Know

  • Jefferson County Public School’s after-school program is adding STEAM activities to its curriculum to help students falling behind

  • Elev8 launched in April 2022 and when Atem Atem’s mom signed him up this year for Elev8, he was reluctant

  • Now, Atem is a big fan of the program

Elev8 launched in April 2022 and when Atem Atem’s mom signed him up this year for Elev8, he was reluctant.

“At first, I didn’t look at Elve8 as something that I was needing or wanted to do to come back to school with me having football practice or other activities after school,” Atem said.

Honestly, the 16-year-old wanted to play more football, but now he’s learning about egg drops.

“I was arguing with my mom, telling her I do not need to go here. I do not need this at all. This is no use for me. There’s no point in me coming at all,” Atem said.

But when his after-school activities ended, he came more and more to Elev8.

“And the more I came, the more I liked it. Coming here with, like, people around here and the activity that I have come and do and the help that they give helped me come back from what I missed when I was doing them at school activities,” Atem said.

JCPS launched Elev8 Student Learning in April 2022. It’s for West Louisville students who have missed 10 or more days of school or failed some classes or scored below grade level on MAP testing in math or English.

“Like, of course, there’s going to be math, science, English, social studies. Those are the basic classes that students will have in school, regardless of age. But with these different activities and funds that we have here at Elev8, we might introduce a student to their career,” said Michael Zachary, a high school teacher. As part of the curriculum, the Kentucky Science Center and Fund For The Arts are offering daily enrichment classes in music, art, dance and science.

“I try to do my best what I can do to help with my grades in all. So then I can go to the next level and be something in life, then nothing,” Atem said.

According to JCPS’s website, the after-school center accommodates up to 250 students in grades K-12 grade who live in West Louisville and need additional academic support.

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