Combine student enthusiasm, teacher dedication, and community commitment, and you have the ingredients for a very successful Saturday Academy at the Westbury Public Schools.

Both the Powell's Lane and Drexel Avenue elementary schools continue to help their fourth-graders score high on the New York State English Language Arts (ELA) and the mathematics and science assessments by providing an intensive, three-hour learning environment on Saturday mornings. The program includes computer-assisted instruction, small classes, a dedicated faculty, as well as the help of volunteers.

Improved student performance levels on the State Assessments this past year are a testament to the success of the program. Saturday Academy has been cited as a factor that led to 76 percent of Westbury's fourth-graders achieving either at Level 3 or Level 4 on the assessments, compared to only 42 percent scoring at these levels just two years ago. Furthermore, Westbury outperformed 49 districts and tied three in Nassau and Suffolk Counties on the fourth-grade ELA exam.

"Westbury's success on the New York State exams can be directly attributed to the district's commitment to its Saturday Academy," said Saturday Academy instructor Todd Teeter. He also noted that the program is helping students meet the rigorous demands of the 21st century.

More than 100 Westbury fourth-graders attend the program at both schools, participating in this intensive learning opportunity for three hours each Saturday morning. Thanks to parental support and student interest, attendance has been excellent. This was also made possible by the dedication of faculty and numerous volunteers.

"I love Saturday Academy," student Tanya Khourym said when asked how she liked going to school on Saturday. "It helped me do even better than I thought I could on the ELA test."

Each school utilizes the professional services of seven teachers and one facilitator. Powell's Lane has the additional support of the Pi Pi Omega chapter of the Alpha Kappa Alpha (AKA) sorority. The members assist teachers with one-on-one tutoring, computer room supervision and administrative tasks. In addition, they provide the children with snacks and drinks.

The Powell's Lane program also receives the assistance of student volunteers Andrew Carcich, Lindsey Summer, and Michelle Gordon. Powell's Lane facilitator Patrick Yula said, "The AKA sorority members and student volunteers, besides providing a number of valuable services to our fourth-graders, also serve as role models for the children to emulate." He added, "Our dedicated professional staff focuses the students' attention on the areas being tested in language arts, math, and science. By doing this, the teachers in the Saturday Academy complement the outstanding efforts of our classroom and ancillary staff working hard during the week to prepare the children to take these tests."

Drexel Avenue's program receives assistance from student volunteers Joanna Garcia, Darla Herrera, and Diane Martins. Another highlight of the Drexel Avenue program is a series of hands-on science demonstrations conducted by Westbury High School science teacher Brumsic Brandon.

Of the program, Cheri Alaia, Drexel Avenue's facilitator, said, "The children have embraced the program and we're very happy with the positive results we've seen." She added, "The kids really love the program. I think that's what makes Saturday Academy stand out. The kids feel special coming to school on Saturday."

Westbury's efforts to raise its test scores haven't gone unnoticed. This past year, Powell's Lane earned the prestigious recognition as a New York State School of Excellence and received the coveted National Blue Ribbon Award.