The Brightside: Prince Street Elementary

Prince Street elementary is working to engage kids with *more* than the lessons that can be found inside a textbook according to principal Jason Miller.

“We try to have after-school programs that meet different grade levels that also have different purposes and objectives for our students.”

The school boasts a diverse student body from several countries who speak at least 12 languages.

Principal Miller is passionate about creating a space where kids want to learn.

That’s why Prince street offers multiple after-school programs aimed at giving students a chance to express themselves outside of the traditional classroom.

The people who run it, are all doing it on their own time.

“All of our after-school programs done by volunteers. And that’s staff members who volunteer their time. So none of our after-school programs are providing stipends, so they’re all doing it out of the love of their heart.”, says Miller.

Miller says kids can dance, sing, create and thrive in a safe space.

Its something he says has a huge impact by exposing them to culture art and sports.

Miller points to a big event that some kids take part in. “So we have the magi chorale festival that’s coming up in December. And the magi is put on by people in the community.”

This year, the school is even starting up a horsemanship program where students will go to a horse farm and learn how to take care of the animals.

Miller says there’s something for everybody in the program, including cheer-leading and basketball.

But he says none of this would be possible without the donations of time from his team.

“We could not do what we do here without our staff — so I think its always important to shout out the wonderful people who make it happen.”

Around 100 kids from the school participate, but Miller says they all know they must maintain good behavior and grades in order to be a part of the fun.