A year ago, the first article about After School University came out in FreshInk. In the article, After School University, a small business dedicated to helping students catch up, accelerate, and advance, shared their hopes for a prosperous future.

Now after a year in business, over 300 students served, 15 new  instructors, an expanded location in North Briargate, and the opening of  the new location South of Colorado Springs, After School is happy that their vision becoming a reality.

Ribbon-cutting for new After School University (January 2010)

Year end Student Award Ceremony (December 2011)

One of After School University homeschool families

ACT/SAT test preparation

Computer programming classes

About After School University

After School University is a premier enrichment and tutoring program whose motto is “catch up, accelerate, and advance.” Classes at After School are hour long sessions and are taught one-on-one or in small group classes, which are not allowed to go over five students because they want to keep that individual attention. Even as the company continues to grow and expand, founder Maria Feekes stressed that she wants each student’s needs and goals to be met personally. Yash Raval, a math instructor who has been with After School since its founding, said, “every time I see a student come in here, their interest level is increased.”

“We  are so grateful for the intentional, complete and interesting education the boys are receiving with you. And the care and kindness with which you approach each student is just the “cherry on top” for us. Thank you for excellent education, and for your support of our whole family!” One of After School University parents

Curriculum Expansion:

When After School started a year ago, they focused solely on math, science, and computer programming. But over the past year, After School has expanded their curriculum to include English and Foreign Languages, and with a considerable donation from KIDDE, the leader of smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors, they now also offer experiment-based Physics classes. Daniel Gabbard, a math instructor who has been with After School for nine months said, “I’ve seen the curriculum grow and get polished along with the company. We have set procedures for assessments and can get people into the correct program they need quickly and efficiently.”

After School University 2012 plans:

Feekes said, “We have accomplished a lot this year, but we always want to strive to be better. I am pleased with our progress so far, but I want to make sure that we are constantly improving.” In the new year, After School will be opening their second branch at the Gorman Education Center in a collaboration with Harrison School District Two. (2883 S. Circle Dr., Room 314, Colorado Springs, CO 80906)

After School is also planning to further serve the homeschooling community by offering a larger variety of classes and designing curriculum specifically with homeschooling families’ needs in mind. Andi and Dave Bush, parents of three homeschooled students who attend After School for extra classes, said, “We really like how you were able to determine where the kids are in their learning process and where they need to go based on what little information and input we gave. We especially like the enthusiasm you show and the multisensory practices used. It’s fun stuff.  It takes talent and insight to be able to take what we give you, tell us this is where we need to be, and create an individualized curriculum based on what we talked about.”

For some of our students who have moved or are planning to move to another city or state, After School is testing one-on-one classes using online correspondence and Skype face-to-face interaction. They started testing this environment in recent weeks and it is working well so far for students involved.

After School University is looking forward to serving Colorado Springs community in 2012!

For more information on After School University, please call us at (719) 659-5979, visit www.afterschooluniversity.com or in one of our locations:

After School University - North Colorado Springs
Rampart Village Center
NE corner of N. Union Blvd. and Briargate Blvd.
7689 N. Union Blvd., Colorado Springs, CO 80920

After School University - South Colorado Springs
Gorman Education Center
2880 S. Circle Dr., Room 314
Colorado Springs, CO 80906