About the Core Program
Our Core Program empowers students in grades 3–5 to find their unique voices, build leadership skills, and strengthen connections through a tri-curricular model of poetry, soccer, and service. It is designed for elementary students who are ready to take their learning to the next level.
Each week, our Poet-Athletes alternate between creative writing workshops and soccer practices, learning to express themselves through poetry while developing discipline and teamwork.
During the spring season, students complete community service projects that make a positive difference in their schools and neighborhoods—showing how their voices can create real change.
What Students Learn
Our Core Program helps students in grades 3–5 build essential skills that strengthen their academics, leadership, and teamwork. Every Poet-Athlete must participate as both a writer and an athlete, providing the opportunity for them to lead, listen, and grow together.
Program Schedule
Our Core Program follows the school calendar, typically running from September to May. Activities take place after school, four days a week, throughout the fall and spring seasons, with optional summer extension opportunities available.
Students participate in soccer year-round, with games typically held on Thursdays.
Fall Season
(Sept–Nov)
Power of Poetry
“Power of Poetry” is an 11-week program that helps students build literacy and public speaking skills while exploring the art of self-expression. Students learn to recognize the unique features of poetry—including simile, metaphor, rhythm, and rhyme—and experiment with various poetic styles such as free verse, haiku, and quatrain.
Students strengthen comprehension, writing, and communication skills through creative exercises that connect poetry to real-world experiences. The season culminates with our community-wide Poetry SLAM!, where each team and one individual per team perform an original poem on stage before an audience of 600+ family and community members.
Spring Season
(Feb–May)
Writing for the Community
“Writing for the Community” is an 11-week program that encourages students to use their voices to inspire change while developing social-emotional and teamwork skills.
Through reading, discussion, and reflection, students explore community issues and design a student-led service project that meets a real need in their school or community. Lessons focus on goal-setting, communication, problem-solving, and collaboration, helping students understand how teamwork and creativity can drive meaningful impact.
Summer Extension
(Up to 10 Weeks)
Offered in partnership with community organizations, recreation centers, and schools, our summer program provides flexible opportunities for continued growth through literacy and soccer-based activities that keep students active and engaged.
Annual Events
Poet-Athletes within our Core Program shine bright at several of our biggest annual events that highlight their creativity, teamwork, and growth as young leaders.
