LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Impressed with the results of its first Elev8 Learning Center, Jefferson County Public Schools has opened a second location.

With 35 years of educational experience, Dorcas James has come out of retirement to serve as co-principal of the district's second-of-its-kind Elev8 Learning Center. The after-school program is available to select students in JCPS and living within the Newburg neighborhood, offering targeted tutoring and enrichment curriculum aimed at improving student scores and attendance.

“I have always been a person who is a lifelong learner, and I want to be supportive for our students to understand that learning is important and they are important,” James said. 

Elev8's Newburg location is located inside the Boys & Girls Club building on East Indian Trail. JCPS Superintendent Marty Pollio helped cut the ribbon Thursday, announcing its opening.

“How are we going to get them extra time in front of teachers? Yes, they are going to be in school all day, every day, but we need to get them additional time,” Pollio said.

Each day, up to 60 students will receive targeted tutoring in core subjects such as reading, math and science. Licensed teachers offer instruction.

The first Elev8 Learning Center opened three years ago in west Louisville, amid challenges brought by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We are working to address the systemic barriers that our students encounter, so we are making sure our students have fair access to supports that they need to so that they can succeed,” said Alicia Averette, assistant superintendent for student support services.

Elev8 Newburg has six classrooms, a science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) learning area and a room for teachers to plan and meet with parents. The Newburg location has been open for three weeks of instruction.