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Springboard Collaborative is a nonprofit that partners with school districts to help PreK–5th grade students reach grade-level academic benchmarks. Its Family-Educator Learning Accelerator (FELA) methodology trains teachers and engages families so learning extends beyond the classroom and into the home. The organization offers in-school tutoring, afterschool programming, and summer learning — all with family engagement woven throughout.

Springboard serves students in PreK/TK through 5th grade who need additional academic support. Programs are designed for students who are below grade level, with the goal of helping every child reach grade-level benchmarks. Springboard works with districts nationwide, with a strong presence in high-need communities.

An externally-reviewed evaluation found that 80% of Springboard students made significant academic gains. A rigorous study shows students are 6× more likely to reach grade-level benchmarks and have 5.9 fewer absences per year. District-level data from Peabody, MA shows students gained over four months of academic growth, with 41% of the grade-level gap closed for students engaged in programming across the school year and summer.

FELA is Springboard's open-source methodology at the heart of every program. It is a 5–10 week cycle during which teachers and families share a game plan to help each child reach a specific learning goal. Teachers receive professional development to run family workshops, and families learn the same strategies their child is practicing in class — so they can support learning at home. A sample of FELA is available here for any educator to try.

Yes. Every Springboard program is grounded in evidence-based instructional practices and delivered through the FELA methodology, which has been validated through externally-advised research. Springboard's model is designed to produce consistent, measurable outcomes across participating schools and districts.

Springboard offers three main program formats: (1) Summer Program — a fully-managed, 5-week intensive with 15–19 hours of instruction per week and regular family workshops. (2) After-school Program — a 10-week supplement with approximately 3 hours of instruction per week and regular family engagement. (3) In-School Literacy - a fully-managed 90 min weekly literacy program coupled with family engagement.

Summer programs run for 5 weeks. Afterschool programs run for 10 weeks. The Springboard Learning Accelerator can be configured for 5–10 weeks depending on district needs. Research shows Springboard's model delivers meaningful academic growth within this short timeframe.

Springboard actively involves parents as at-home learning coaches. You will be invited to attend family workshops where you will learn the same strategies your child is practicing in class. You will also receive take-home materials and access to resources that make it easy to support your child between sessions. When families and teachers work together, children make much greater academic gains.

Each student has a student action plan that tracks their individual learning goals and growth throughout the program. Teachers share this with families during workshops and regular check-ins, so you will always know what your child is working toward and how they are doing.

Springboard's programs are primarily designed to support students who are below grade level or need additional academic development. Programs are offered in partnership with schools and districts, so eligibility is determined locally. Contact your school's program coordinator or email info@springboardcollaborative.org to learn more.

Participating students receive take-home materials to support learning between sessions, student incentives to motivate engagement, and access to at-home practice resources. Families also receive printed and digital tip sheets that mirror what is being taught in class.

Teachers are trained by Springboard staff before the program begins and receive ongoing support throughout, including 6 hours of national teacher training webinars and turnkey professional development resources. Educators also have access to up to 12 hours of coaching (through the Learning Accelerator) and on-demand guidance from Springboard Program Directors. Districts with 4 or more sites receive city-level leadership including a Program Manager, Operations Manager, and Program Leader Coach.

Springboard equips educators with a full set of printed and digital resources: lesson plans, instructional materials, student action plans, and family workshop curriculum. Materials are plug-and-play — ready to use immediately — but flexible enough to customize. Sample materials are available to preview on the Springboard website.

Summer programs involve 15–19 hours per week of instruction. Afterschool programs involve approximately 3 hours per week. Springboard handles program management and logistics so teachers can focus on instruction and family relationships, not administration.

Yes. Springboard has open-sourced its FELA methodology so any educator can try it independently. Visit felamethod.org to access the free toolkit and learn how to run a Family-Educator Learning Accelerator cycle in your own setting. Sample materials are also available on the Springboard website.

Districts partner with Springboard by reaching out through springboardcollaborative.org to start a conversation about fit and program design. Springboard offers flexible partnership models — from a fully-managed, high-touch implementation to a lighter-touch partnership for districts that prefer more control. Programs can be implemented as in-school tutoring, afterschool academic support (including integration with 21st Century programs), or summer programming.

Springboard provides as much or as little management support as the district needs. For districts that want a fully-managed experience, Springboard's implementation team handles training, coaching, logistics, and ongoing support — restoring capacity to district staff. For districts that prefer more ownership, a lighter partnership structure is available.

Yes. An externally-advised study found 80% of students made significant academic gains. A rigorous evaluation shows students are 6× more likely to reach grade-level benchmarks and have 5.9 fewer absences per year. District-level data from Peabody, MA shows over 4 months of academic growth and 41% of the grade-level gap closed for students engaged in programming across the school year and summer.

Springboard's model is designed to relieve over-burdened teachers. By engaging families as partners in learning, the program extends instruction beyond the classroom without adding to teacher workload. Fully-scripted materials, professional development, and program management handled by Springboard's team help teachers focus on what they do best. Districts report the program restores capacity rather than depleting it.

Visit springboardcollaborative.org and click 'Let's Talk' to request a conversation with the team. You can also email info@springboardcollaborative.org or join the mailing list to stay informed. Springboard's headquarters: Two Penn Center, 1500 John F. Kennedy Boulevard, Suite 1160, Philadelphia, PA 19102.