GENERATION ONE ACADEMY
Proactively Serving Houston's Next Generation
Generation One Academy is a non-profit, Christian-based center for early childhood in Houston's historic Third Ward. The Academy empowers its students by cultivating skills to conquer obstacles that hinder the overall success of low-income children and families in our community. We do this through evidence-based practices that place an emphasis on social-emotional-learning and developing a growth mindset. This approach supports the building of lasting, trust-based relationships with our students and their families. Prior to 2020, more than 60% of Houston-area kindergartners began school academically behind and not reading ready, not having mastered letter, number, and color identification. This figure disproportionately reflects students in low-income neighborhoods and set a students on different learning tracks at the very beginning. The Generation One Academy works to change that with an model that helps prepare young minds socially and academically.
The Classroom
- 3 Classrooms
- 1-to-7 teacher -to- Student ratio
- Parents or guardians volunteers service as part of our tuition-free program
A Nurturing Approach
Generation One Academy replaces the “traditional classroom” with a collaborative community. Classrooms are small with 14-15 students who are led by a teacher and aide. Our curricula seamlessly integrates academic and social-emotional-learning in order to develop strong character and positive decision making. We are committed to ensuring that every child receives this balance of instruction so they can be successful throughout their academic careers and beyond.
CORE CURRICULUM
English & Language Arts
Social Emotional Learning
Mathematics
Bible Lessons
PE and Health
Creative Arts
Generation One’s goal is to help each child reach their full potential. Every student's progress is assessed regularly to accurately track growth and areas of need. A multi-modal teaching that stimulates every learner and emphasizes learning-through-play. We use intentional, sensory play to meet developmental needs. We also provide physical education and creative expression to promote holistic growth. Healthy, brain-conscious breakfast, lunch, and snacks are provided daily.
Classes are structured by student age and maturity.
- PEACE: 2-3 year olds
- FAITH: 3-4 year olds
- COURAGE: 4-5 year olds
Students work toward specific outcomes to demonstrate social-emotional, developmental, and academic readiness for the next step. These outcomes include:
| Peace (Younger 3 year olds) | Faith (Older 3 year olds) | Courage (4 year olds) |
|---|---|---|
| Eat with a spoon and fork and drink from a cup with some assistance | Kick, throw, and catch a large ball with accuracy | Takes care of and manages classroom materials. |
| Make personal food choices among several healthy options (“Want apple.”) | Run more confidently and ride a tricycle | Child remains focused on engaging group activities for about 20 minutes at a time. |
| Recognize and name their own emotions | Hop or jump | Identifies and names letters |
| Show pride in own accomplishments by smiling, clapping, cheering for themselves, or saying, “I did it!” | Climb a small jungle gym | Reads some environmental print |
| Say first and last name when asked | Show interest and comfort in playing with and meeting new adults | Uses writing and drawing tools |
| Choose areas to play in or activities they prefer | Express more emotions through words, actions, gestures, and body language | Engages in early scribble writing; makes organized marks (pictures/writing) |
| Recover from emotional outbursts (tantrums, biting, or hitting) in a few minutes with adult support | Show more familiarity with personal space (sit on own carpet square during Circle Time, keep their hands to themselves) | Interacts during reading experiences, book conversations, and text reflections |
| Listen to and begin to follow rule | Speak about family members and friends who are not present | Writes name |
| Play with toys with other children or include other children in pretend play | Stick with difficult tasks without becoming overly frustrated | Uses words to rote count from 1 to 30 |
| Follow two-step requests | Follow schedules with few reminders, such as cleaning up toys and joining group activities | Child counts 1-10 items, with one count per item |
| Use three- to four-word sentences with a noun and a verb | Follow three-step directions | Child becomes aware of where own body is in space, respects personal boundaries |
| Match colors and shapes and sort toys or objects that are alike | Participate in short conversations with expected words and phrases | Accepts adult solution to resolve a conflict |
| Count objects while pointing to each one and saying the number (one-to-one correspondence) | Use multiple words to describe and communicate feelings | Makes simple patterns |
| Name basic colors and shapes | Recognizes how many objects are in a set | |
| Negotiate turn-taking with other children | Practices good habits of personal health and hygiene. | |
| Plan what they are going to pretend before play, such as saying “Let’s play baking!” | Child engages in conversations in appropriate ways |
NEXT GEN
Generation One Academy students are invited to be part of Next Gen. This exciting series of after-school and summer enrichment programs for youth in kindergarten through high school. Students are picked up from area school and brought Generation One campus. There they take part in structured, supervised time for homework and academic enrichment, personal growth and development, stress-reduction, and relaxation. Social-emotional-learning begun at the Academy continues with Connection Circle, a way in which the students connect Bible lessons with personal interactions and responsibility. Groups are kept small with a student teacher ratio of 15/1 and is supported by volunteers and student mentors. As more students are required to take part in remote learning, the Next Gen has adapted with as an on-campus distance learning hub, offering high-speed internet, providing personal laptops and tablets, adult supervision and academic support.
EMPOWERED FAMILIES
Supporting the whole family is a key to fulfilling Generation One’s purpose to empower children to reach their full potential. A licensed, family therapist provides individual and group support for the students and family members. Additionally, families participate in a programs that are designed to best meet their needs and support the growth and development of the whole child. Programs have included literacy and student read-aloud sessions, nutrition and fitness classes, as well as Bible study and family days like the Fall Festival and Christmas Celebration.
