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CANYON CORRIDOR CONNECTION | 13
GCU Learning Lounge tutoring to expand
Educat ion
IT WAS CONCEIVED as an opportunity to give underperforming
students at a neighboring public high school free, individualized
math and English homework help in a safe environment where they
also could grab a bag of Teddy Grahams and watch a little television after
studying. But in just four months, the Grand Canyon University Learning
Lounge has evolved into an experience for more than 150 Alhambra High
students, some who have now passed Arizona’s high school graduation
test and are contemplating their careers.
“Last fall, these Alhambra students were worried about graduating
from high school,” said Dr. Joe Veres, GCU’s director of K-12 outreach,
of which the Learning Lounge is the crown jewel. “Now, they’re getting
college life experience, building relationships with our 30 tutors and
thinking about going to college.”
The Learning Lounge was launched last September. It was envisioned
by Brian Mueller, GCU’s CEO and president, and championed by the
Phoenix Union High School District and Alhambra’s principal, Claudio
Coria, and its teachers and staff. Word spread quickly at Alhambra that
the Lounge, a chill place that handed out free T-shirts and mugs, was open
from 3 to 8 p.m. Mondays through Fridays.
Passing the AIMS
Alhambra seniors Sarahi Chavez and Isaul Rodriguez were among those
who showed up early and often. As a result of working several days a week
with tutor Leslie Pace, each passed the writing portion of the AIMS test.
Chavez graduated in December, and Rodriguez has straight A’s and is on
track to graduate in May. Both students are Mexican immigrants who
only learned English within the past few years.
“We just went slowly, and we were able to spend a lot of time together,”
said Pace, a freshman majoring in web design. “They were willing to work,
and they had a lot of discipline.”
Chavez, who was born in Mexico and came to the United States at
age 15, had tried to pass the test four times previously. She said Pace was
a great teacher who not only improved her writing skills, but also her
confidence. Chavez said she did it for her brother, 12-year-old Isaac, and
plans to don her cap and gown and walk in Alhambra’s May graduation
ceremony for him, too.
“I want him to see that if I can do it, he can do it also,” said Chavez,
who hopes to go to college and become a family therapist.
Chavez, Rodriguez and four other Alhambra students passed the AIMS
test last semester. The tutors worked with nearly 175 students, about six
percent of the school’s population, and provided 139 days – 835 hours – of
extra instructional time during the Lounge’s first 60 days.
“Our priorities are still to increase math and English scores of ninth
graders, where we can have the most impact, to build their confidence and
support our partner schools,” Veres said. “But we are also seeing other
needs, the junior or senior who says, ‘Hey, I need help.’ We don’t turn
anyone away.”
Making way for more students
Students at Bourgade Catholic High, a GCU educational partner about a mile
south of campus, also were invited to the Lounge last semester. The school
plans to use it more this spring, said Assistant Principal Vicki Kilgarriff.
In November, the Lounge and its overstuffed chairs and couches, stacks
of books and CDs, study tables and computers were relocated to Building
9 on campus. With the move came the start of daily deliveries by St.
Mary’s Food Bank of nutritious meals for the students, an arrangement
suggested by September Lopez, a GCU graduate student in professional
counseling.
Currently, St. Mary’s delivers each week about 100 meals, which have
a variety of offerings from the five food groups. The quantity will expand
with student demand this spring.
Having seen and heard what has been accomplished at Alhambra,
Maryvale is all in. At a time when public school funding is tight, the
school, which is about four miles southwest of GCU, has found money to
pay for two buses to bring up to 110 juniors and seniors to the Lounge,
initially once a week. Tutors also will travel weekly to Faith Christian
School, another GCU educational partner.
To handle the influx of new students, GCU is hiring up to 20 additional
tutors, noting that none of the original 30 tutors hired last semester has quit.
Veres said he is amazed that, with TV, food and games as potential
distractions, the students are usually focused on one thing. “These kids
want to spend a majority of their time face-to-face with the tutors,” he said.
He credits the tutors with making the program successful. “Our
students made this what it is,” he said. “It’s ‘Find Your Purpose’ in action.”
Shortly before Christmas break, Chavez and Rodriguez dropped by the
Lounge to tell Pace they had passed the AIMS and to give her a candy bar
in gratitude. They said they probably wouldn’t be back.
“I do miss them,” Pace said. “It’s cool to be able to encourage someone
that they can get through high school, they can make good grades and,
one day, go to college if they want to. It feels good to have helped change
someone’s life like that.” ■ —Janie Magruder, GCU News Bureau
For more information on the program, contact GCU’s Director of K-12
Outreach, Dr. Joe Veres, EdD at 602-639-7971 or