Recently, the Springfield Urban League received funding from the Illinois State Board of Education to establish and operate five Community Learning Centers. St. Patrick School is one of the five sites.

The name of the program is the Springfield Urban League Children's Defense Fund (CDF) Freedom Schools Program. This is a wonderful opportunity for an added enrichment program. Programming hours are 3:30 p.m. to 5:45 p.m. Eligible students and families interested in participating in this program are required to complete an application at the school. More than 90 percent 75% of our students are enrolled in the program.

The Springfield Urban League CDF Freedom Schools Program® supports the creation of community learning centers that provide expanded academic enrichment opportunities for children, particularly students who attend high-poverty and low performing schools. The program helps students meet state and local student standards in core academic subjects, such as reading and math; offers students a broad array of enrichment activities that can complement their regular academic programs; and offers literacy and other educational services to the families of participating children.

The Academy Enrichment Program

Students attending the Academy at St. Patrick have a longer school day. After the day's classes are dismissed at 3:30 p.m., the Academy students begin an enrichment program, providing clubs, sports, enrichment activities, art, and study time for students to work through the homework they get during the day.

The Academy students also attend Saturday enrichment programs once a month. These structured learning experiences outside of the regular classroom offer students additional opportunities for learning, enrichment, and growth. All Academy students also participate in the 5-week summer semester.

Camp Invention

During the summers of 2007-2009, the school entered into a partnership with Camp Invention . Camp Invention is a week long, nationally recognized summer science and creativity day camp. The camp was attended by students from public and private grade schools throughout the City of Springfield .

Students enhanced their creative thinking and problem solving skills while practicing teamwork. It was a wonderful learning experience and a very diverse group!! This unique program will be hosted at St. Patrick School this year during the week of June 8-12, 2009.