Every child deserves the chance to succeed and reach their full potential regardless of the postal code they live in. Ignite Academy is a wrap-around support program for students between Grade 2 and 7 and their families targeted in neighbourhoods that see the highest barriers to success.
Research tells us that children who are proficient in reading in Grade 3 are more likely to graduate from high school, and children who are proficient in math by Grade 6 are more likely to complete a post-secondary program. Thanks to the support of our generous donors, Ignite Academy is an out-of-school program that provides healthy snacks, inidivdualized academic tutoring, mental health supports and much more. We’d like to introduce you to one of our amazing students: Kyra.
Kyra started her first year of Ignite Academy in September 2023. Her older sister had been in the program the year prior, and she was excited to join in the fun. Kyra has started Grade 2 and has been supported by the Ignite Academy team in many ways.
She has progressed in her academic abilities by attending regular academic interventions with her UWAT specialist. Together they worked on a variety of curriculum making sure Kyra is better able to keep up with her peers throughout the school day. In her individualized plan, Kyra worked through many foundational mathematics and literacy concepts. In addition, Kyra has been expanding her social support to become more participatory, expressive, and excited about learning.
At the beginning of the year, she tended to be reserved and shy and now she has blossomed into a bright, energetic member of the group. She enjoys drawing and creative activities as well as earning stickers for completing homework independently.
Like any child, she struggles with emotional regulation, expressing her frustrations, and adapting to change but with the supportive environment and collaboration of Ignite staff, teachers, family and friends, Kyra has made notable progress in her self-awareness and attitudes. The Ignite team looks forward to greeting Kyra again in the fall and hopes to see her progress further in the coming years.