Episode 15: NUSD’s LEAP Program

The Natomas Unified School District offers students educational enrichment activities beyond school hours through a program we call Learning Enrichment Athletics Arts and Academics or LEAP. In this episode, we speak with Yee Yang, a Director with NUSD, who explains what LEAP is all about and who it serves.

Beginning this spring, Natomas Unified School District (NUSD) will begin a partnership with B Street Theatre, a staple in the Sacramento arts community for over 30 years! “This is such a great opportunity for our students,” said Chris Evans, Superintendent of Natomas Unified School District. It’s all a part of the district’s new afterschool program called LEAP Academy, which beginning in the fall will be available at all K-5 and K-8 school sites. Currently, the program is being offered at American Lakes, Bannon Creek, and Jefferson K-8 schools as part of the pilot before launching fully for the 2023-2024 school year.

“Providing students with more opportunities to explore the arts, particularly at the elementary level, has always been something the Board of Trustees and staff have wanted to implement in NUSD. It’s been a challenge to make that happen given all of the requirements and other important budget priorities that we must implement as a district.” 

Experienced B Street Theatre educators will bring the performing arts experience directly to Natomas Unified students at their school sites during the afterschool program. While there, students will participate in theater exercises, performance skills, and playwriting development. These activities help to support student’s language development, reading comprehension, and writing. There may even be opportunities for students to demonstrate what they’ve learned in the form of a production in front of family and friends. This could be just what some students need to learn they have a passion for the performing arts and something they may want to pursue.

B Street Theatre is just one of the multiple local organizations that the district is partnering with to bring more enrichment opportunities to students. NUSD will also partner with organizations that will provide activities that focus on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM), music, cooking, coding, and more. “We want students to look forward to attending LEAP Academy, so we are really focusing on programming that keeps them engaged and curious while strengthening their skills in language arts, math and science,” said Tonja Jarrell, Associate Superintendent.

LEAP Academy is made possible from new state funding called Expanded Learning Opportunities Program. It provides three additional hours to the school day. Priority is given to students considered with a high-need based on state requirements; however, once those families choose to participate or not, the remaining available spaces will be open to the general student population.

To learn more about LEAP Academy and how you may register your incoming TK-6th grade student, visit https://natomasunified.org/leap-academy/. We have also recorded a podcast where we sit down with Yee Yang, an NUSD Director leading this effort. Take a listen to learn more.