All kids deserve to be supported by thriving families, educated in thriving schools, and uplifted by thriving communities. Through its Thrive Afterschool program, the Flint Center for Educational Excellence in Flint, Michigan, is partnering with schools, families, and community organizations to bring this vision to life and tackle the most pressing issues facing Flint’s students.

Chronic absenteeism has long been a barrier to success for Flint’s students, who are disproportionately students of color or from families with low incomes, and face systemic issues that impact school attendance, readiness, and academic outcomes in literacy and math. Thrive Afterschool focuses on helping students feel supported and valued, which also keeps them engaged and motivated to attend school regularly. 

The program consists of two core initiatives: Thrive On for elementary school students and Thrive Up for middle and high school students. Both initiatives are designed to boost school attendance, academic achievement, and self-sufficiency. Thrive Up features programs like Success Mentoring, which helps older students build strong relationships with caring adults who check in with them and help guide them. Together, they create an environment where more than 2,500 students learn and grow year-round. According to surveys, 88% of students said they felt cared for by staff, and 77% felt successful in the program.

“Our programs work together to place Flint kids on a permanent path toward success and create meaningful connections between their schools, families, and community,” said Ja'Nel Jamerson, president and CEO of the Flint Center. "It’s about much more than preventing absenteeism and keeping kids from falling behind—it’s about pushing them toward a bright future."

Thrive staff are embedded within 16 Flint schools, where they work with teachers, students, administrators, and families to design a range of immersive learning activities and supports to prepare students for future success. A partnership with the Network for School Excellence—another Flint Center initiative that connects teachers, community school directors, and researchers—also ensures that out-of-school time programming reflects and complements what students are learning in the classroom.

“These experiences enriched students’ understanding of the world and created memories that will last a lifetime."

[.attribution-name]Shonta Price[.attribution-name]
[.attribution-location]Community School Director[.attribution-location]

Books clubs and creative writing workshops transport students to new worlds through literature, fostering a love of reading. Through hands-on experiments, coding activities, and engineering projects, students are transformed into scientists, developing critical thinking skills and curiosity. Through partnerships with organizations like Tapology and Sphinx, Thrive also offers students opportunities to unleash their creativity through tap dance and classical music.

Field trips to places like Consumers Energy and the Flint Public Library offer students opportunities to apply lessons through real-world experiences. Shonta Price, a community school director, understands the importance of turning learning into a fun, immersive experience. 

“These experiences enriched students’ understanding of the world and created memories that will last a lifetime,” said Shonta, reflecting on Thrive’s summertime Accelerated Learning Academy, which took students on 16 unforgettable field trips over 19 days.

Fostering a love of learning is not enough. Creating a brighter future for Flint’s youth also requires addressing historical, structural barriers that affect students’ ability and motivation to attend school. That’s why Thrive Afterschool takes a holistic approach, investing in students' health, well-being, and personal development. All students receive free meals and snacks. Initiatives like Jags Culinary Chefs provide nutrition education and cooking skills, while physical fitness programs like Active Dragons, Reaching the Next Level, and Lions in Motion Dance Team get kids moving and working as a team.

With Thrive Afterschool, the Flint Center for Educational Excellence is laying the foundation for a brighter future where Flint’s children can realize their full potential.