Help Your Child Get Ahead in School!
After-School Programs at Midtown for boys & Metro for girls
Programs are designed with generous assistance for low-income families
“Metro has helped me so much in school. I went from a 72% to a 98% in math, which I never thought I could do. They always tell me I have a lot of potential, which no one has ever told me before.”
MEF provides after-school programs that serve 4th-12th grade students from low-income families in the city of Chicago. Both centers provide academic enrichment, character education, individual attention, and extra-curricular activities for students, and parenting skills classes and discussions for the parents.
Midtown Center for boys is in Bucktown and Metro Achievement Center for girls is in Greektown. MEF students succeed in school and beyond:
- For the past 17 years, 100% of MEF Seniors have graduated high school and gone on to college.
- 93% of MEF 8th graders enroll in college-prep level high schools.
- Of over 300 alumni surveyed, 91% have graduated or are still in college!
Watch & Learn:
Claudia Valencia, a 2008 Metro Alum talks about seeing her potential at Metro.
Fox News featured Midtown for Boys in their Beyond the Dream Segment. Watch the second segment here.
Program Elements
ACADEMIC ENRICHMENT
In the school year, by focusing on homework and classroom enrichment, volunteer tutors provide students with the academic help they need to succeed in school. MEF also empowers students to take their education into their own hands by connecting them with scholarship organizations.
CHARACTER EDUCATION
By learning about virtues and good habits, students develop the necessary tools to become better students, sons or daughters, sisters or brothers and friends. In the character development class, students discuss and learn how to practically implement virtues such as respect, service to others and hard work.
INDIVIDUAL ATTENTION
Each student that participates in MEF programs is assigned a volunteer tutor-mentor that works with them the entire summer and school year. With a focus on academics and character development, time spent each week with the same volunteer has proven to be an integral part of the overall improvement of the student.
EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
In the school year, MEF students participate in a variety of extra-curricular activities to gain skills and confidence while discovering interests and future hobbies. Some of our activities include:
MIDTOWN
Competitive Sports
Computer Science
Creative Writing
Chess Club
METRO
Visual and Performing Arts
Fitness and Sports
Dance Classes
Public Speaking
Culinary Classes
PARENT PROGRAM
MEF's parent programs support parents in their role as the primary educators of their children through classes, discussions, conferences, and more.
Help Your child get ahead in School!
to apply, choose your child's grade level below:
Questions? Contact Meghan Elfelt by filling out the below form or call: 312.982.8585
Learn more about each program:
In their own words: Parents & Students
“Character Education has taught me the importance of goalsetting, the definition of love and given me excellent communication skills. ”
“Thank you again for all of your help and work with my son. He really enjoyed Midtown and has even asked if he can go to school there. The all male staff and all boy participants had a huge impact on him.”
“The whole program was helpful, my daughter learned many new things. Having positive role models and seeing successful young women has been an important benefit to her.”
“I have developed a lot of dignity and confidence since Metro has started because I treat myself better and I don’t get as nervous as I used to get. ”
“In school I needed help, but most teachers don’t have time. Here at Midtown the teachers do help me. Ever since I started coming here, I have done better in school.”
“At Midtown you don’t have to worry about violence. I feel like I am coming into a house with a family I just met.”
Walgreens One-on-One Program
Dates: Sept 23, 2019 - May 2, 2020 Attends once a week
Mondays or Wednesdays: 6:00-8:00pm
(Available Study Hall from 5:00-6:00pm)
- OR -
Saturdays: 10:00am - 12:00pm
Cost: $250 for the entire school year - Generous Financial Aid Available
Apply Now!
Visit the 4th-6th Grade Homepage.