The WINGS Model: Essential Elements That Spell Success

WINGS delivers results so that kids learn to succeed

Social and emotional education after school

WINGS transforms the lives of kids by giving them a strong social and emotional education hidden within fresh and fun after school programming. Our model differs significantly from standard youth development programs because of this foundation of social and emotional learning, or SEL. We recruit differently, train intensively, provide constant feedback and closely monitor outcomes. WINGS delivers results that spell measurable success.

KIDS: Teach and Reinforce

  • 30 social and emotional learning objectives strengthen attachment to school, diminish self-defeating behavior
  • Small lessons integrated into group activities that kids like; capitalizing on spontaneous teachable moments
  • Teaching self awareness, self-management, responsible decision-making, social awareness, relationship skills
  • Each week builds upon the last; WINGS does not operate on a drop-in basis as so many afterschool programs do
  • Providing regular homework time supervised by adults; keeping parents and teachers connected with routine check-in and written academic progress reports

STAFF: Recruit and Train

  • Carefully recruit college students as role models for educational success
  • Rigorous training – more than 65 hours – and constant coaching
  • Keep teacher-student ratios small – 1 to 10-12 – and hold WINGSLeaders accountable for results
  • 97 percent staff retention rate from year to year pays off for kids in stabilizing relationships

ETO: Monitor and Measure

  • Our success management system – called Efforts to Outcomes – tracks progress by individuals, by each Nest of 10-12 kids, and by the WINGSLeaders accountable for results
  • WINGSLeaders carry notebooks to jot down efforts; notations entered daily via computerized records aligning efforts with outcomes
  • This high level of precision in record-keeping helps individualize interventions for maximum effectiveness, maintains quality, and keeps WINGSLeaders focused on exactly what their kids need to master particular learning objectives

CURRICULUM: 30 learning objectives intentionally
embedded into every activity

  • The WINGS Creed - learning objectives in language kids understand
  • Community Unity – First 30 minutes dedicated to developing connections
  • Choice Times – Using 9-week blocks of art, music, sports and more
  • WINGSWorks - Helping others through community service
  • WildWINGS – Weekly fun that offers skills development, with a twist
  • Kids Praise Programs – Catching kids demonstrating newfound skills