South Bronx United (SBU) uses “soccer as a tool for social change.” In addition to soccer practice, SBU offers academic, college-preparatory, and career support services to over 200 immigrant, first-generation, and at-risk youth in the South Bronx. Youth participants attend weekly soccer practice, with games on the weekend. Eligibility to play on the soccer team is contingent on academic participation in twice weekly after-school sessions. Due to limited resources and participants, SBU presently teaches mixed-grade cohorts in the after-school programs. With an influx of new middle school participants, SBU aims to develop a new curriculum specifically designed for grades 6 through 9 to address grade-specific needs, including state testing and the high school admissions application process.
South Bronx United’s improvement project will develop a new curriculum specifically designed for these students to address grade-specific needs.