Flight Academy expands after-school instruction; midyear I-Ready shows across-the-board gains

The Clark County Board of Education received an update on Wednesday on the Flight Academy, an after-school program funded through the 21st Century Learning Grant that extends the school day by two hours at four elementary schools.

"We are extending it by 2 hours," the Flight Academy presenter said, describing the program's schedule as 2:45 to 4:45 and emphasizing that the program provides enrichment, remediation, transportation and an evening meal for participating students. The presenter told the board the grant supports the program for up to five years, but continued funding is federal and subject to annual appropriations.

Presenter materials reported enrollment growth since the program's start: initial cohorts were identified from summer Literacy Lift Off participants and later expanded, with schools now showing enrollments in the 60s and 70s. The program keeps a 15-to-1 student-to-staff ratio and staff are adding teachers where needed; summer plans include a Summer Flight Academy partnered with Literacy Lift Off to deliver reading and math across 20 days in June.

The board also received midyear I-Ready screening results showing reductions in the number of students multiple grade levels below in reading and math and increases in students at grade level. The presenter said comparisons between "window 1" (August) and "window 2" (December) indicate progress across grade levels and subjects. District leaders noted that gains are strongest among students who attend all four days of programming and signaled continued focus on comprehension and knowledge-building strategies to complement earlier phonics investments such as Orton-Gillingham coaching.

Next steps: staff will continue to monitor participation, refine instructional supports for program teachers and present further data in May and early June ahead of state assessments.