Jax SOARS
Strengthening Opportunities to Achieve Reading Success (SOARS) Program
The Challenges We Face
Strong literacy and oral language opportunities are crucial for becoming a skilled reader and for future academic success. However, many students do not have sufficient access to the kinds of hands-on learning opportunities needed to foster important language and vocabulary knowledge skills, enthusiasm for reading, or build background knowledge. Many families have limited access to books or resources to support and extend their child’s reading success.
To address these challenges, the Jacksonville Kids Hope Alliance convened cross-sector partners to develop an innovative approach to help close the opportunity-to-learn gaps and improve reading success. Anchor partners include: Kids Hope Alliance, Jax Journey Forward, Duval County Public Schools, the Early Learning Coalition of Duval, the UNF Crawford Early Learning and Literacy Distinguished Chair Fund, the Florida Institute of Education at UNF, Jewish Family and Community Services, and Boys and Girls Club of Northeast Florida.
The Goal
The overarching goal of Jax SOARS pilot program is to help close opportunity-to-learn gaps and improve reading success for participating students. The Jax SOARS pilot program will provide a year-long suite of evidence-based and engaging programming to complement in-school learning designed to increase enthusiasm and interest in reading among elementary-aged students while also improving their reading achievement.
Three Interconnected Strands
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Strand One
Jax SOARS: Summer Activities
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Stand Two
Jax SOARS: Reimagined Family Engagement and Support
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Stand Three
Jax SOARS: Westside Neighborhood Roots and Wings Literacy and Reading Hub
Jax SOARS Adventure League
The Jax SOARS Adventure League is an enrichment program for all students designed to complement the schools’ instructional programs and enhance family conversations and engagement. Students and their families voluntarily participate and complete Adventure League Missions before school, at lunchtime, after school, and during other non-instructional times as well as during the summer.