Article originally published on releasewire.com
Washington, DC — (ReleaseWire) — 02/29/2016 –Flex Academies has partnered with the Washington Nationals Youth Baseball Academy to offer Flex’s high-quality enrichment activities for Washington D.C. area youth.
The Nationals Youth Baseball Academy focuses on positive character development, academic achievement, and improved health for youth living in underserved communities in D.C.
According to Preston Shytle, Senior Director of Development and Marketing for the Academy, many young people in D.C.’s Wards 7 & 8 face several barriers to success – consequently, statistics show that only 20-40% of elementary school students achieve passable test scores in math and reading, and nearly 60% of students drop out of high school before graduation. In an effort to alter this trajectory, the Academy uses a holistic approach to youth development, says Shytle, providing its young Scholar-Athletes with exposure to character-building, academic enrichment, and wellness programming.
After school, Scholar-Athletes at the Nationals Youth Baseball Academy receive baseball and softball instruction, study hall time to complete their homework, and healthy foods. Thanks in part to Flex Academies, the program also exposes Scholar-Athletes to a variety of new experiences and learning opportunities. With the support of an on-site Flex coordinator, instructors lead unique programs for youth such Lego Engineering, Art & Drawing, STEM Engineering, Improv & Theater Games, Dance/Step, and Shark Tank.