At Ignite Academy, we believe in the limitless potential of every child, regardless of where they live or the challenges they face. As the first community-designed Cradle-to-Career solution from ProsperUs, Ignite Academy is dedicated to bolstering literacy and math competencies for students in grades 2-7. Operating after school four days a week, this program focuses on schools in West Windsor, Downtown Windsor, and Leamington—areas where childhood poverty rates are among the highest.
In these priority neighbourhoods, children often fall behind in reading, writing, and math compared to their peers in more affluent areas. Economic hardships such as low income, food insecurity, and housing instability only compound the challenges these students face. That’s why Ignite Academy was created by a collaborative effort of neighbourhood residents, front-line service providers, and subject matter experts. Together, they identified the barriers to foundational education and developed a new model for after-school programming, resulting in the birth of Ignite Academy.
As we reflect on the pilot year, we are proud to share the stories of two students who exemplify the impact of Ignite Academy on young lives.
Student Spotlight: Harvir
Getting to know Harvir over the past two years has been an absolute pleasure. Harvir has been with Ignite Academy since the very beginning, attending programming every day. Initially, Harvir relied heavily on his older brother, who was also in the program, to guide him. During the 2022/2023 school year, Harvir was quiet, a little shy, and often preferred to observe rather than participate.
But this year, we’ve seen remarkable growth in Harvir’s social skills and confidence. With his brother having aged out of the program, Harvir has had the opportunity to step out of his comfort zone, meet new people, and engage in various activities on his own. The transformation has been incredible—Harvir now actively participates, suggests new activities, and even takes initiative in completing his homework. His newfound confidence has translated into improved academics as well. From being a quiet observer to a confident participant, Harvir continues to shine in our program.
Student Spotlight: Rhiannon
Another inspiring success story is that of Rhiannon, who was part of the pilot year of Ignite Academy. Rhiannon was always eager to engage in mentoring activities and thrived in one-on-one academic sessions. However, she sometimes struggled to stay focused on tasks. With the support of the Ignite team, Rhiannon developed her literacy and math skills, making significant progress throughout the year.
This year, we’ve continued to work with Rhiannon to enhance her ability to work in group settings. She has shown a remarkable inclination to help others, and it’s clear that she feels more encouraged to tackle her work when she receives support. Rhiannon is also a role model for her younger sister and peers, always striving to set a positive example. Her dedication and self-improvement are a testament to the success of Ignite Academy. We are excited to see Rhiannon continue to grow and achieve new milestones in the program.
These stories are just a glimpse of the impact that Ignite Academy is having on the lives of students in our community. We are committed to nurturing the potential of every child, ensuring they have the support they need to succeed—no matter their postal code. As we look to the future, we are filled with hope and anticipation for the many more stories of growth, confidence, and academic achievement that will emerge from Ignite Academy.
Join us in celebrating these young successes and the brighter future they are building. Together, we can make a difference.