Denver

Who We Are

America SCORES Denver, a recreationally-linked education program, is dedicated to translating the values of leadership, teamwork and communication to over 320 at-risk young girls and boys in west Denver. We do this by providing physical activities through the sport of soccer, and literacy lessons through creative writing, every day after school in ten public elementary schools. Soccer, poetry and service-learning activities are used as tools to emphasize good decision-making, discipline and positive self-expression.

Why is SCORES Important?

• In Colorado 1/3 of school-age children are left unsupervised after school. Children who do not take part in after-school programs score significantly lower on aptitude tests and very poorly in classroom assignments.
• Over 65 percent of urban children do not participate in extracurricular activities that involve any form of exercise. In 2005, nearly 29 percent of children in Colorado were categorized as overweight or obese.
• Only 53 percent of students in Colorado graduate from High School. Of those that do, 40 percent are only reading at 4th grade level.

Studies around the nation have proven that America SCORES works. Children in after-school programs:

• Demonstrate higher school attendance and improve their overall performance on standardized tests as well as in subject classes
• Show improvement in self-confidence and social skills, the ability to maintain self-control and avoid conflicts
• Are two times less likely to use drugs and one-third less likely to become teen parents
• Are three times more physically active than children not in SCORES programs

Denver’s 40 teachers and coaches –our SCORES Corps– receive training in the areas of creative writing, service-learning and soccer coaching. We recognize that after-school teachers and coaches are important providers of services for our children. We provide them with professional development opportunities so they have the tools and resources to effectively change kids’ lives for the better.