Program Model
All TSH participants are referred to as Scholars and treated as such. All of our programmatic initiatives are based upon the following five-point "Scholar Model."
Academic Enrichment
The Academic Enrichment of our scholars is the primary focal point of our program. Our skilled Academic Coaches provide homework assistance and interactive supplemental tutorial lessons to enhance the at school performance of our Scholars. Additionally, our scholars are able to access online tools such as educational games, literacy skill development program, Failure Free Reading, and other such programs to further increase their scholastic skills. TSH Academic Coaches also visit the schools of our scholars so that we may work with their teachers to create and implement strategies to ensure their academic success.
Cultural Enrichment
We believe that Cultural Enrichment and exposure to artistic opportunity for our scholars is vital to their success. Each week our Scholars participate in clubs which engage them in such performing arts as choral music, dance, and drama. The clubs roster also includes arts and crafts, culinary arts, and games. Since the spring of 2007 we have also offered visual arts lessons to our scholars through ArtReach which pairs creative art initiatives with social and academic lessons. The Study Hall participants have also learned the African-Brazilian martial art known as Capoiera, received formal dance training through a partnership with Moving in the Spirit, studied the violin, and African drums. Our field trip roster is rich with visits to the opera, ballet and modern dance performances, museums, aquariums, and trips to Georgia's border states.
Financial Literacy
We believe that the Financial Literacy of our scholars is fundamental to ensuring their ability to overcome financial adversity later in life. Through our partnership with Junior Achievement our academic coaches facilitate weekly lessons related to the financial requirements of living and working in our society. Our scholars are learning skills that will enable them to create personal financial and career plans, become entrepreneurs, and be contributing members of the community in which they live. To further these lessons TSH Scholars operate a bi-monthly bank and store.
Civic Engagement
At TSH we teach our scholars "To whom much is given, much is required." The Civic Engagement focus area of our Scholar Model has been developed to instill in them the importance of making a positive contribution to the community. Each class participates in semester long community service projects based upon social challenges they are most interested helping to eliminate. Our scholars have taken on the task of raising awareness about such causes as education improvement in urban communities, raising awareness about the genocide in Darfur, eradicating hunger and homelessness, protecting the environment, and breast cancer awareness.
Wellness
Wellness initiatives at The Study Hall are provided to motivate our scholars to lead healthy and active lifestyles. Through the daily provision of healthy snacks and meals, educational workshops on the importance of preparing and eating nutritious meals for both our parents and scholars, as well as, raising awareness about the health issues that most impact our community, TSH is committed to the overall wellness of our scholars. All TSH participants participate in daily outdoor activity and exercise. Our commitment to wellness has been furthered through our partnership with the Villages at Carver YMCA aquatics department. Since Fall 2007 many of our scholars have learned to swim and are participants on our joint championship swim team, The Piranhas.