BROOKINGS, S.D. (9-30-26) — Boys & Girls Club of the Northern Plains will launch Prairie Sparks, a new free after-school academic enrichment program serving students in junior kindergarten through third grade at Medary Elementary School and Hillcrest Elementary School, both part of the Brookings School District, beginning Monday, October 5, 2026.
Funded through the 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) program under ESEA Title IV, Part B, administered by the South Dakota Department of Education, Prairie Sparks is designed to help young learners strengthen reading, math and science skills during the critical elementary years.
The program will serve up to 70 students across both schools and provide comprehensive academic support, hands-on enrichment experiences, family engagement opportunities and access to caring adult mentors at no cost to families.
“Our goal is simple and ambitious,” said Jody Hernandez, CEO of Boys & Girls Club of the Northern Plains. “Reading proficiency by third grade is one of the strongest indicators of future academic success. We are committed to helping every child develop the reading comprehension skills they need to reach this critical milestone and build a strong foundation for lifelong learning and achievement.”
Unlike traditional after-school care programs, Prairie Sparks focuses on academic intervention and enrichment. Students are referred primarily by classroom teachers, principals, counselors and their families based on academic needs and opportunities for growth. Every participant receives ongoing assessment and personalized support.
A key feature of the program is The Flip Side, a daily 40-minute tutoring block delivered at a maximum ratio of one adult for every five students. Instruction is guided by student assessment data and classroom teacher input, ensuring academic support aligns with each child’s individual learning needs.
Students will be organized into age-appropriate “crews” that balance developmental needs with individualized skill-based instruction. Program staff will regularly adjust learning groups based on assessment data to ensure students receive targeted support.
Prairie Sparks also emphasizes the importance of relationships and family engagement. Every child will be paired with a dedicated adult mentor, and families will receive regular communication, invitations to monthly family events and access to support resources when needed.
The program includes:
- Free enrollment
- Free daily nutritious snacks
- Free educational field trips
- No registration fees or supply costs
- Complimentary Boys & Girls Club of Brookings membership while enrolled
- Access to the Boys & Girls Club of Brookings Traditional Club on snow days and school breaks
The inaugural fall session will run from October 5 through December 21, 2026, with programming continuing throughout the school year as part of the grant’s four-year initiative.
Prairie Sparks will operate every school day from dismissal until 6:00 p.m. at both Medary and Hillcrest elementary schools.
Families interested in registering should speak with their child’s teacher, principal or counselor to see if Prairie Sparks would benefit their child. Interested families may contact Olivia Nugent at onugent@greatfuturessd.org.
Boys & Girls Club of the Northern Plains is currently hiring Learning Leads and Crew Learning Specialists for the Prairie Sparks program. Both positions offer up to 25 hours per week, with pay of up to $20 per hour for Learning Leads and $18 per hour for Crew Learning Specialists, depending on experience. For more information and to apply, visit www.greatfuturessd.org/careers.
About Boys & Girls Club of the Northern Plains
For more than 22 years, Boys & Girls Club of the Northern Plains (BGCNP) has been building safe, welcoming spaces where youth can learn, grow and thrive. Founded in Brookings, South Dakota, BGCNP has grown to serve more than 4,500 youth and families annually across six communities – Brookings, Elkton, Milbank, Moody County, Vermillion and Yankton – making BGCNP the largest Boys & Girls Club organization in the state of South Dakota. BGCNP also includes three Early Childhood Enrichment Clubhouses in Brookings, Flandreau, and Vermillion, as well as Flandreau Indian School, a Bureau of Indian Affairs Education site serving students in grades 9–12.
BGCNP’s evidence-based programming is built around four priority outcome areas: Academic Success, Health & Wellbeing, Character & Leadership and Life & Workforce Readiness. All programs are delivered through a trauma-informed lens, recognizing that every young person deserves an environment built on consistency, care and high expectations.
BGCNP is a proud member of Boys & Girls Clubs of America and works alongside Clubs across the nation to inspire and enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring and responsible citizens. Learn more at www.greatfuturessd.org.
— From the Boys & Girls Club of the Northern Plains
