Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is this a school or a tutoring program? What does Weekend Academy do?
Weekend Academy is not a tutoring program. It is an educational enrichment program in
which specially selected elementary school children are learning about a variety of topics in
fun and different ways. We meet 2 Saturdays a month and use computers, guest
speakers, experiments, role-playing, discussions, books, and field trips to explore lots of
topics and careers. Students are so wrapped up in having fun, they forget it’s educational!
2. How much does the program cost?
There is no charge to children accepted in the program. The Academy pays to feed
students breakfast and lunch, guide them through innovative learning activities, and fund
various outings. The only cost to their families is time and commitment. It costs Weekend
Academy approximately $125 per child per month to offer our program.
3. What are your goals?
The Weekend Academy is a Saturday enrichment program dedicated to enhancing learning
for select students in grades 3-5 from Title One Schools by:
Increasing self-esteem and zest for life-long learning;
Empowering parents with resources for present and future educational support; &
Equipping students to take advantage of future career and life opportunities.
4. What’s different about Weekend Academy?
5. What is your Book of the Month program all about?
Weekend Academy students can earn a brand-new book every month by completing
unthreatening assignments that encourage building their literacy skills. Read all about the
details by clicking here. One of Weekend Academy’s partners in this endeavor is First
Book, a national literacy initiative.
6. Who sponsors Weekend Academy? TVA or the school system?
Neither! The Weekend Academy is a separate not-for-profit organization that raises its
money through grants, donations, and fundraisers. The Tennessee Valley Authority and
Memphis Light, Gas & Water Division are our largest contributors and have been donating
our office and classroom space since our inception.
7. So how is the Weekend Academy funded?
If Weekend Academy did not provide our programs at no cost, most of our students would
not be able to participate. Therefore, we rely on the generosity of individual donors, in-
kind contributions, and grants of all kinds. In addition, the Academy hosts a variety of local
and statewide fundraising efforts throughout the year, such as golf tournaments in East
Tennessee.
Each chapter is also enrolled in the local Combined Federal Campaign, whereby
government employees can make payroll-deducted donations each year. Please check with
the coordinator for your area for more information.
Weekend Academy is very grateful to the following corporations and foundations that have
provided program funding in the last 2 years:
8. Where is Weekend Academy located?
We have over 100 students 3 sites in Chattanooga, Knoxville, and Memphis. Each site has
a corporate host that donates its unused office space on Saturdays. Our administrative
headquarters are currently located in Chattanooga.
9. When is the next session?
Please check your local city’s webpage for this quarter’s schedule. All Academy sessions
generally begin with breakfast at 9:00 am and ends after lunch at 1:00 pm. (Field trips
may occasionally alter those times.)
10. How can I sign up my child / nephew / grandchild / neighbor?
We generally do not choose the children who participate in the Academy. Our partner
schools in each select students with potential and nominate them to represent that school.
Please contact the local coordinator to find out the partner schools in your area and other
enrollment specifics.
11. Do you need volunteers? What would I do?
Weekend Academy absolutely relies on volunteers for a number of important tasks!
Depending on your interests, you could
1. Is this a school or a tutoring program? What does Weekend Academy do?
Weekend Academy is not a tutoring program. It is an educational enrichment program in
which specially selected elementary school children are learning about a variety of topics in
fun and different ways. We meet 2 Saturdays a month and use computers, guest
speakers, experiments, role-playing, discussions, books, and field trips to explore lots of
topics and careers. Students are so wrapped up in having fun, they forget it’s educational!
2. How much does the program cost?
There is no charge to children accepted in the program. The Academy pays to feed
students breakfast and lunch, guide them through innovative learning activities, and fund
various outings. The only cost to their families is time and commitment. It costs Weekend
Academy approximately $125 per child per month to offer our program.
3. What are your goals?
The Weekend Academy is a Saturday enrichment program dedicated to enhancing learning
for select students in grades 3-5 from Title One Schools by:
Increasing self-esteem and zest for life-long learning;
Empowering parents with resources for present and future educational support; &
Equipping students to take advantage of future career and life opportunities.
4. What’s different about Weekend Academy?
- There are very few programs in existence that focus on educational motivation, goal
setting, and career exploration for students in grades 3-5 prior to their crucial
adolescent years. - Weekend Academy has a 3-year commitment to each family to provide meaningful,
horizon-expanding experiences for the students in its care. - Students are exposed to multi-generational role models.
- Many students who graduate at the end of their 5th grade years stay on as junior
staffers in middle school, or return a few years later as paid tutor leaders.
5. What is your Book of the Month program all about?
Weekend Academy students can earn a brand-new book every month by completing
unthreatening assignments that encourage building their literacy skills. Read all about the
details by clicking here. One of Weekend Academy’s partners in this endeavor is First
Book, a national literacy initiative.
6. Who sponsors Weekend Academy? TVA or the school system?
Neither! The Weekend Academy is a separate not-for-profit organization that raises its
money through grants, donations, and fundraisers. The Tennessee Valley Authority and
Memphis Light, Gas & Water Division are our largest contributors and have been donating
our office and classroom space since our inception.
7. So how is the Weekend Academy funded?
If Weekend Academy did not provide our programs at no cost, most of our students would
not be able to participate. Therefore, we rely on the generosity of individual donors, in-
kind contributions, and grants of all kinds. In addition, the Academy hosts a variety of local
and statewide fundraising efforts throughout the year, such as golf tournaments in East
Tennessee.
Each chapter is also enrolled in the local Combined Federal Campaign, whereby
government employees can make payroll-deducted donations each year. Please check with
the coordinator for your area for more information.
Weekend Academy is very grateful to the following corporations and foundations that have
provided program funding in the last 2 years:
- AmSouth Bank
First Tennessee Bank
Cornerstone Foundation
East Tennessee Foundation
Gannett Foundation
Memphis Light, Gas, & Water Division
Memphis Links
Chattanooga Kiwanis
Target
Tennessee Valley Authority
Valero
Haslam Family Foundation
State Farm
8. Where is Weekend Academy located?
We have over 100 students 3 sites in Chattanooga, Knoxville, and Memphis. Each site has
a corporate host that donates its unused office space on Saturdays. Our administrative
headquarters are currently located in Chattanooga.
Knox – 400 W. Summit Hill Drive
Chatt – 1101 Market Street
Mem – 4949 Raleigh LaGrange Road
9. When is the next session?
Please check your local city’s webpage for this quarter’s schedule. All Academy sessions
generally begin with breakfast at 9:00 am and ends after lunch at 1:00 pm. (Field trips
may occasionally alter those times.)
10. How can I sign up my child / nephew / grandchild / neighbor?
We generally do not choose the children who participate in the Academy. Our partner
schools in each select students with potential and nominate them to represent that school.
Please contact the local coordinator to find out the partner schools in your area and other
enrollment specifics.
11. Do you need volunteers? What would I do?
Weekend Academy absolutely relies on volunteers for a number of important tasks!
Depending on your interests, you could
- Spend a Saturday morning with students as a guest presenter on your profession,
hobby, or passion - Open up your place of business for a world-of-work field trip and host the students
for a Saturday visit - Become a regular program volunteer to meet a particular need at your chapter
(examples: photography, food pick-up or delivery, etc.) - Provide support to program staff for big events by helping with mailings, calling
potential donors, soliciting in-kind donations, providing event support, etc.) - Sell tickets or goods for local fundraisers
- Serve on your local city’s Advisory Board
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