Evanston Township High School staffer Nichole Boyd always had the deep passion and teaching credentials to teach Spanish, but her job as an educator in the Transitional Learning Center, the school’s support system for pregnant students, had always prevented her from doing so. However, as former coordinator of the ETHS’ Wildkit Academy program, she was given the opportunity to teach students in the subject she loves.

“I jumped at the opportunity because it was a best of both worlds situation for me,” Boyd said.

The academic support program Wildkit Academy, which started again this school year on Sept. 13, offers students the opportunity to get help from teachers on select Saturday mornings. Students can get one-on-one support, attend exam reviews and receive homework assistance.

Although the program is optional, an average of 200 or more students attend each Saturday session, said Melissa Costello, the Wildkit Academy coordinator for the 2014-15 academic year.

Boyd said two-thirds of ETHS’ entire student body has attended at least one session.

Former ETHS employee Chala Holland started Wildkit Academy in 2010 in response to a growing number of low grades from students, Boyd said.

“This was one way to meet that need for students, to give them more time with classroom teachers and tutors,” Boyd said.

The program was held for eight or nine Saturdays during the first year, Boyd said. Soon, the tutoring became one of the most popular and well-attended programs at ETHS, she said.

Teachers come to the Wildkit Academy sessions because they want to be able to help their students succeed in school, Costello said. She said that during the two years she taught in the program, she watched her students grow.

“In Evanston, there’s a lot of staff members that are really devoted to the students, and they see the benefit of being there,” Costello said.

Although the number of students increases during exam time and the total who show up each Saturday fluctuates, the program generally continues to be successful throughout the years.

“The Saturday Wildkit Academy was the best time for (students) to come in and work with me on an assignment and get caught up with whatever it might be,” Costello said. “I think staff members recognize that and are willing to put in that time to help their students.”

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