ABOUT US

Springboard to Learning & Young Audiences of St. Louis is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing art, cultural, humanities and science programs in schools and community organizations that inspire students and teachers to embrace knowledge and new experiences that broaden their horizons. Having recently completed our first year as a merged organization, we are now the region’s largest provider of in-school academic and cultural enrichment programs. During the 2006 school year, we reached nearly 92,000 students in area schools with around 230,000 student contact hours. We are a 501(c)(3) with a board of directors, full time office staff, and a roster of talented teaching specialists.

Click here to view our 2006-2007 Annual Report. (1.9 MB PDF)

Springboard to Learning & Young Audiences of St. Louis connects school content to the real-world through active learning.

In one class, students learn to use their own experiences as the basis for a radio show. In another class, children learn to drum a traditional African rhythm on a shoe box. A third class may listen to a tale about Hindu gods and goddesses as told by a native of Delhi who stands before them dressed in a gorgeous silk sari. A fourth may finally come to understand what happens to a hamburger when it is swallowed. But in all of our programs students are empowered. They realize that it is possible for them to become a scientist or an artist and, perhaps most importantly, that they can make informed decisions about their own lives.

Through Springboard & Young Audiences, academics also improve: vocabularies expand, writing is used for authentic purposes, and students learn through different modalities. Springboard & Young Audiences programs encourage students to take risks, to work cooperatively and to take pride in their accomplishments.

Assists underserved populations in receiving programs

Springboard & Young Audiences aims to equalize educational opportunities for children, most of whom

• come from economically disadvantaged families;
• live in impoverished neighborhoods;
• attend one-race schools.

Provides sustained engagement with Teaching Artists/Specialists

Teachers and artists visit schools once a week for an entire semester, working with four or five elementary or middle school classes during the day. Long and short-term residency teachers and artists develop a set of lesson plans that actively promote creativity and critical thinking through hands-on work. Some artists and ensembles also lead one-time workshops and high-energy performances that introduce students to the artistry and talent of professional performers.

Employs and contracts with content experts as teachers

Springboard & Young Audiences teaching specialists are professional musicians, dancers, artists, writers and storytellers. Our programs are also taught by experts in science, literature, history or the cultures of lands outside the US. They undergo a rigorous application and assessment process that ensures all programs are of high quality. All programs are aligned with Missouri Grade Level Expectations (GLE’s) and standards.

Trains, supervises and monitors the work of Teaching Artists/Specialists

Springboard & Young Audiences programs are vetted by our professional staff. New teachers attend an extensive orientation program. During the school year professional development programs, specifically designed for teaching artists/specialists, are offered - twice a year for the entire teaching staff and voluntary monthly meetings for teachers interested in talking more about their classroom experiences.

All teaching specialists are regularly observed and evaluated by Springboard & Young Audiences staff and members of the program committee. Specialists also meet individually with the Springboard & Young Audiences Program Directors to review their lesson plans and gather materials from our well-stocked collection.