Patrick Airlie is among the lowest achieving elementary schools in the province, according to scores on Alberta Provincial Achievement Tests. Census and other data shows that high numbers of Patrick Airlie students meet conditions identified as risk factors for poor developmental outcomes, including low family income, low parental education levels, lone parenting, and being an English Language Learner student. Early Development Instrument scores for children in the neighborhood point to risks of long-term academic challenges. To support kids at Patrick Airlie in developing key literacy skills, self-confidence and pro-social behaviors, the Library and YMCA have implemented Kids Hub, part of the larger Integrated School Support Project (ISSP) involving Calgary Police Service, City of Calgary, Calgary’s Board of Education and Separate School District.

Kids Hub is innovative for its unique delivery of programming designed to meet the needs of at-risk students. Students flow between simultaneous and complementary Library and YMCA programs five days a week, thus enabling students to benefit daily from the strengths of both programming options. The Library programs are adapted to the identified needs of the at-risk students: barriers to participation are reduced by delivering the programs at school rather than in the library; program delivery integrates high touch, highly personalized connections with students; and flexible program content is generated for students who may be at varying stages of development.

Evidence shows that sustained participation in afterschool programming fosters academic achievement and pro-social behaviors. Afterschool programming also increases constructive use of time, while decreasing time spent hanging around or using electronic devices. As part of Kids Hub integration in the overall ISSP framework, a research firm will complete a rigorous evaluation to determine the program’s impact over a minimum period of two years in improving academic performance and social, emotional, and physical developmental outcomes of at-risk students. Students involved in the program have come to see Library programmers as role models. Numerous participants have shown marked behavioral improvements over the course of the school year and participants continuously report a real and growing connection to the program, including increased enthusiasm for reading and math.