After School Program Reaches Out to Minorities in Shakopee

Over the last decade the population and demographics in Shakopee have changed.  According to the 2010 census numbers, Scott County grew by about 40,000 people over the last ten years and at the same time it became a more diverse area. It’s a change the Shakopee School District has embraced by creating a new program specifically designed for a growing minority population.

“Our largest population outside of Caucasian students is Hispanic students,” Principal John-Paul Jacobson said. “Between the two demographics there is a fairly big achievement gap, and it was something we wanted to fix.”

To get the Hispanic population more engaged in their education, an after school program was started. 

“The group has really helped our Hispanic students,” Jacobson said. “It gives them a sense of belonging, a place where they can talk with students they can relate to, and the result is a more engaged student that does better in school.”

The group meets twice a week and offers homework assistance, educational speakers and activities.

“The program has just grown by leaps and bounds,” Social Worker Joan Paré said.  When the program started three years ago about a dozen students attended, now more than 120 students are involved in the program.

“The program is really changing the atmosphere of the school in a positive way,” Paré said. “Since the program’s inception attendance is up and tests scores are skyrocketing.”

According to the recent state test scores in reading, the number of Hispanic students that met the proficiency level doubled. In fact the proficiency rating in every minority category at Shakopee Junior High went up in reading this year compared to last.

“We attribute these positive changes to a variety of things we are doing at the school,” Jacobson said. “However, we do feel the after school program is playing a significant role in the test scores.”

Paré says the group isn’t just affecting test scores. “The Hispanic community has really embraced this program and made them feel more comfortable to ask questions,” she said. “We want every parent to feel connected to the school.”

Over the next few years, Paré expects continued growth and plans to open the program to more students, not just those in the Hispanic population. The school wants the program to become an inclusive group, where culture and education are the main focus.