The Start Tag After School program introduces students to web design and development, helping to prepare them for future jobs and narrowing the field’s steady diversity gap. Depending on the participating school and district partners, the program may also operate on the weekends, during school breaks, or even before school. Start Tag’s team develops strong relationships with school leadership to ensure the program’s effectiveness and a great learning environment.
Start Tag’s After School program starts with a 30-minute homework catch-up period, followed by rigorous interactive group workshops led by industry professionals. Start Tag’s staff use time-tested curricula tailored over the course of the program for each group of students to target each group’s unique needs.
Start Tag’s After School program also incorporates everyday hands-on development and team-building activities that reinforce the program initiatives, will feature field trips, guest speakers, and community service projects.
Start Tag aims to introduce and educate our students on the following:
- Students will be introduced to how the internet works and it’s various systems and protocols
- Students will be introduced to back-end web development technologies such as PHP, Ruby and other technologies
- Students will be taught about web design principles and practices, user interaction and experience, and information architecture
Start Tag believes that learning these skills will prepare our students for the jobs of the present and future. Getting a broad education in these skills will also give each student the opportunity to decide which area of the web they prefer. One student may be more proficient at back-end development over user-interaction and experience. Another student may be more proficient in designing websites and apps. Start Tag believes that a field as diverse in its disciplines has room for all students.
Start Tag believes all can succeed in these fields. We have high expectations for our students, and provide a high-quality learning opportunity that will help them fulfill their potential while meeting the needs of the future. Start Tag’s program expands learning to include skills for the jobs of the present and future. These skills inherently also teach our students teamwork, persistence, logic-based reasoning, problem solving, and will further improve their self-esteem.
We encourage parents to be involved in their children’s education, because their support is more important than any other factor in their child’s success. Start Tag creates opportunities to be involved throughout the course of its programs through orientation activities, educational parent workshops, volunteer opportunities, and special events. We share with each parent what we learn about each teen throughout the program to strengthen the connection between the home and the school.
If your child goes to one of Start Tag participating schools, visit your principal’s office to learn about enrollment opportunities at your school or in your school district. If Start Tag is not in any participating schools near you, please contact your school’s district officials and have them fill out our partnership form to help bring the program to your teen’s school.
Our students and families are best served when nonprofits, schools, and school districts combine resources and share costs to deliver great programs for those who need them most.
Start Tag partners with principals and school district leaders who are looking for solutions to an ever-changing skills climate and who can help bridge that gap. We are currently piloting that program in Prince Georges County, Maryland, but we are forever looking to expand the program to willing states, counties, and school districts.
Complete our partnership form if you are interested in learning more about partnership opportunities.