WINGS Success

A strong track record for helping kids succeed distinguishes WINGS in the youth development field. We have been singled out for the quality and effectiveness of our work:

  • Yale research shows how WINGS develops attachment to school and improves behavior.
  • The South Carolina Association of Nonprofit Organizations gave WINGS its highest award for “excellence” in nonprofit management.
  • Charleston magazine and the Coastal Community Foundation named WINGS an outstanding nonprofit organization for “exceptional efforts” to serve the community.  See article. 
  • The pre-eminent journal in the field, New Directions in Youth Development, spotlighted the WINGS program.
  • Charleston Regional Business Journal gave WINGS an Innovators Award.
  • Scholastic magazine profiled WINGS as one of three “outstanding centers” worth emulating for best practices.

Academic achievement at Memminger Elementary in 2009:

  • 96 % of WINGS kids showed academic improvement in at least one major subject.
  • 92 % of WINGS kids improved on standardized math tests; 96% improved on reading.
  • 93% of WINGS kids maintained at least "adequate" school attendance.

Academic achievement at Chicora School of Communications in 2009:

  • 97% of WINGS 3rd - 5th graders received at least "average" in homework on final report cards.
  • 90 % of WINGS kids improved on standardized math tests; 87% improved on reading.
  • 89% of WINGS maintained at least "adequate" school attendance.

Awards and Accolades

WINGS has been recognized as a “best practice” by education organizations including:

  • The Academy for Educational Development, Washington, D.C.
  • The National Institute of Out-of-School Time at Wellesley College, Wellesley, MA.
  • The National Association of Elementary School Principals, Alexandria, VA.