Program Model

How it Works

12weeks

Fall

Soccer + poetry and creative writing

6weeks

Winter

Nutrition + soccer

12weeks

Spring

Soccer + service-learning

8weeks

Summer

Soccer + arts enrichment

Poetry and spoken word

During the 12-week fall model, students learn how to write creatively and perform. Every student writes at least five original poems, and the model culminates with each school performing at the DC SCORES Poetry Slam!

Service-learning

During the 12-week spring season, students at each school work together — building upon the teamwork formed on the soccer field and at the Poetry Slam! — to identify and then research an issue in their school and/or greater community, and then address it with a service-learning plan. Projects range from neighborhood and schools cleanups, to awareness campaigns, to raising money for the homeless, and much more.

Soccer

DC SCORES runs the only consistent public soccer leagues for both elementary and middle school youth in the District. During both the spring and fall, each team practices twice a week. Thursday (elementary schools) and Friday (middle schools) are game days, when teams from throughout the city play a girls game followed by a boys game.

Coaches

We hire and train motivated DC Public School teachers to run the program at their schools, thus providing each student with direct access to a trusted mentor.

70% of coaches are teachers.
85% of coaches work at the schools.

Watch this video for an example of the relationships kids in DC SCORES build with their coaches/trusted mentors.