As of 11/02/2020
Educational Games
General
Khan Academy Kids (Pre-K/Kindergarten)
Free app with activities geared towards creative learning and building foundational skills. Available for download on Android, Apple, and Kindle.
Language Arts and Social Studies
Community in Crisis (Grades 5-9)
Free online game where students role-play real-world scenarios to practice English language arts and social studies. Play online here: https://www.classroominc.org/play/
iCivics Games (Grades 6-12)
Free online games teaching history and government. Some games are also available as an app on Android or Apple. Play online here: https://www.icivics.org/games/
STEM
Code Combat (Grades 4-12)
Free online role-playing adventure to practice coding and critical thinking. Play online here: https://codecombat.com/
Little Alchemy 2 (Grades 6-12)
Free online puzzle game to practice science and critical thinking. Play online here: https://littlealchemy2.com/
Prodigy (Grades 1-8)
Free online role-playing adventure to practice math and critical thinking. Some features are only available with paid membership. Play online here: https://www.prodigygame.com/main-en/
Scratch (Grades 1-12)
Free online sandbox to teach and practice basic coding skills. Designed for students age 8 to 16, but can be used by anyone of any age as a learning or teaching tool. Start creating here: https://scratch.mit.edu/
Mentorship Programs
ACE Mentor Program (High School)
Provides free mentorship, enrichment activities, and scholarships for high school students interested in architecture, construction, or engineering.
- For D.C., register online here: https://www.acewashingtondc.org/students
- For Maryland and Virginia, find your regional affiliate here and email one of ACE leaders to apply: https://www.acementor.org/affiliates/
CSF-DC Scholars (Middle School through College)
The College Success Foundation’s DC Scholars program provides free college/career advising, enrichment activities, and scholarships for students from 7th grade through college graduation. Get more information and apply to be a scholar here: https://www.dccollegesuccessfoundation.org/supports-and-scholarships/supports—csf-dc-scholars-program—eligibility
- Eligibility:
- Reside in D.C. Wards 7 or 8
- Attend one of the schools below
- Anacostia High School
- Ballou High School
- Friendship Collegiate Public Charter School
- H.D. Woodson High School
- Maya Angelou-Evans Campus PCS
- Thurgood Marshall Academy
- Kramer Middle School
- Charles Hart Middle School
- Kelly Miller Middle School
- Sousa Middle School
- Meet academic and income requirements
Higher Achievement (5th Grade through Middle School)
Higher Achievement is a 3-4 year mentorship program for students entering and attending middle school (Grades 5 through 8) in Baltimore, D.C. Metro, and Richmond. They are currently offering free virtual mentoring, tutoring, and educational activities for their scholars. Get more information and apply to be a scholar here: http://higherachievement.org/for-families-scholars/
Curriculum
- Young Writers Program: https://ywp.nanowrimo.org
- Google CS First: A free program that introduces students (grade 4-8) to computer sciences and makes coding easy to teach and fund to learn.
- Allows for creativity and collaboration with other students
- Amaze: Sexual Education program that “takes the award out of sexual education”
- Factual information presented in fun, animated videos that gives answers about sex, your body, and relationships
- Subsections include puberty, sexual orientation, gender identity, personal safety, healthy relationships, STDs & HIV, and pregnancy and reproduction
- https://amaze.org
- Desmos: Free graphing calculator
- Interactive graphic calculator helps students apply mathematical concepts
- Using different coloring options, students can plot points on a graph and use math to make art
- https://www.desmos.com
Tutoring Services
826DC (Ages 6-18)
826DC is a nonprofit that hosts workshops and tutoring to help students develop creative and expository writing skills. More information can be found here: http://826dc.org/
- After-School Writing Lab: Two hour homework help session with half-hour of creative writing. The writing lab is currently at capacity, but you can still fill out the application if spots open up later on in the year. Application can be found here: https://www.tfaforms.com/4650885
- When: Monday through Thursday 3:30-6:00pm
- Eligibility:
- After-School Writing Lab is currently only accepting applications from DC-based families whose students receive free or reduced lunch or students who are English Language Learners.
For the Love of Children (FLOC) (Grades: 1st – College)
FLOC offers a variety of programs, including reading and math one-on-one tutoring, ACT/PSAT/SAT prep, a one-on-one writing lab, and electives in STEM, Art, Cooking, and Fitness. All programs will be virtual this semester. Click here to find the full list of programs and the fall schedule: https://floc.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Fall-Virtual-Learning-Brochure.pdf
- Neighborhood Tutoring Program (Grades 2nd-12th) – one-on-one reading and math tutoring following a curriculum and guiding students at their own pace. Find out more here: https://floc.org/neighborhood-tutoring-program/
- City Leaders Program (Grades 8th-12th and college) – helps students develop skins to complete high school and pursue and graduate form college. This program will be held virtually. Find out more here: https://floc.org/city-leaders-program/
- Eligibility:
- Student has working laptop or tablet (no phones)
- Show proof of eligibility for FDPIR, TANF, SNAP, or Medicaid card for this school year.
Communication
- Penpal Schools: Virtual pen pal program allows collaboration with students from all around the world in a variety of topics to develop useful skills and spark interest in an area of interest while also expanding their world views.
- Testimonials show students enjoy obtaining a different perspective from other students their age who are living in different countries around the world
- Students get feedback from their teacher and parents who can monitor and track their progress
- Lessons are geared towards obtaining skills in reading, writing, digital citizenship, and social and emotional skills such as building empathy, curiosity, and respect for others.
- Students also are given the opportunity to start a unique project in over 50 different topics
- Safety is ensured by security/encryption of data, monitoring of messages, and are invited by verified teachers or parents.
- Scholarships are also offered to schools in need
- To sign up, follow the link below and have a parent or teacher create an account and invite students!
College Resources
Capital Partners for Education (High School through College)
Capital Partners for Education provides one-to-one college and career mentoring to low-income students in the academic middle (on the cusp of college eligibility) in the DC area to become successful leaders. Learn more here: https://www.cpfe.org/about/
- Eligibility:
- Academic middle: GPA between 2.3 to 3.1
- Students are recruited from the 17 partner schools in the DC area. Participating schools can be found here: https://www.cpfe.org/school-partners/
- **Note: CPFE has a closed student enrollment process where the partner schools determine eligible students and refer them to the program.
College Bound (Grades 8-10)
College Bound prepares students to graduate high school and get accepted into college. Support continues throughout college through the Virtual Mentoring Program to ensure degree completion. The program includes one-on-one academic mentoring in math, language arts, social skills, and college prep, college tours twice a year, SAT prep classes, scholarships, career exploration nights, and more! For more information about the Academic Mentoring Program and location sites see here: https://www.collegebound.org/academic-mentoring.html
For more information about the Virtual Mentoring Program see here: https://www.collegebound.org/virtual-mentoring.html
- Eligibility:
- Public/Charter School student in the DC Metropolitan area
- Enrolled in a grade between 8-10
- Committed to attending college, weekly meetings, and working with a mentor.
- Application: https://www.collegebound.org/student-application.html
For the Love of Children (FLOC) (Grades: 1st – College)
FLOC offers a variety of programs, including reading and math one-on-one tutoring, ACT/PSAT/SAT prep, a one-on-one writing lab, and electives in STEM, Art, Cooking, and Fitness. All programs will be virtual this semester. Click here to find the full list of programs and the fall schedule: https://floc.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Fall-Virtual-Learning-Brochure.pdf
- City Leaders Program (Grades 8-12 and college) – helps students develop skins to complete high school and pursue and graduate form college. This program will be held virtually. Find out more here: https://floc.org/city-leaders-program/
- Eligibility:
- Student has working laptop or tablet (no phones)
- Show proof of eligibility for FDPIR, TANF, SNAP, or Medicaid card for this school year.
DC College Access Program (DC-CAP) (Grades 11-12)
DC-CAP is a privately-funded nonprofit organization to support DCPS high school students to enroll and graduate from college, providing direct counseling and financial assistance.
- Ward 7 and 8 Scholars Program
- https://dccap.org/node/5133
- Eligibility:
- Attend one of the participating schools found here: https://dccap.org/files/dc-cap_ward_7_8_scholars_program_flyer.pdf
- Live in Ward 7 or 8
- Be in 11th or 12th grade
- GPA of 2.5 or higher
Early College Programs
These programs allow high school students to earn up to 60 credits towards an Associate Degree, while earning a high school diploma. https://dcps.dc.gov/page/early-college
