Parents and Youth

 

NAZA is a network of established afterschool providers, each operating in a different geographic zone and with its own particular focus and mission. Each After Zone or Z. provides Metro middle-school students access to afterschool programs that offer meaningful enrichment activities in safe and structured environments. Each Z. is somewhat unique in the programming offered. However, all programs in the Z. have a common commitment to:

  • Helping students succeed in school
  • Providing activities and experiences that enrich students’ lives
  • Providing high quality programming utilizing a Positive Youth Development approach; 5 Principles of Positive Youth Development
  • Eliminating transportation and financial barriers for students and families who want to participate
  • Using a continuous program quality improvement process, including professional development provided by NAZA
  • Manifesting a belief in the value and potential of every student

Brochure

Download the NAZA brochure.

Download PDF

Logistical Information

 
  • Students must apply to participate and are accepted on a first come-first served basis.
  • Applications are available from principals at participating schools or from your Zone Director. Individual program applications contain specifics about each Z. after school program.
  • Applications are accepted at the beginning of each semester.
  • All Z. programs operate around the same basic schedule, with some variations at each site. At a minimum sites operate 4 days/week for two hours after school, 12 weeks out of each semester.
  • The Z. is not a “drop-in” program. Research shows that “drop in” programs are not effective in supporting student success. Therefore, we ask parents and youth to commit to regular attendance through at least one semester if accepted into a Z. program.
  • Some Z. programs take place on school grounds and some at established neighborhood sites. For school-based sites, students who are eligible to ride a Metro school bus to school may ride the bus home after the Z. if a parent/guardian signs and submits the “Extended Day Transportation Form” contained in the Z. application.

Northeast Z.

 

The Northeast Z. is Nashville’s first After Zone and comprises the areas within the Maplewood and Stratford high school clusters. Z. programs are available to students at Bailey, Gra-Mar, Isaac Litton, and Jere Baxter Middle Schools. In addition, East Literature Magnet middle school students who live within the Stratford or Maplewood cluster may apply to participate.

South Central Zone

 

Launched in January 2011, the South Central Zone serves students who live and go to school within the boundaries of the Overton and Glencliff clusters. Coordinating agency, the PENCIL Foundation, provides services to 200 students by subcontracting with additional existing providers, including: The Center for Refugees and Immigrants of Tennessee, the YWCA of Nashville and Middle Tennessee, Metro Nashville Parks and Recreation, Catholic Charities, and YMCA of Middle Tennessee School Age Services.

For more information on the South Central Z., contact your school principal or Zone Director:

Jim Williamson, Zone Director
PENCIL Foundation
421 Great Circle Road
Nashville, TN 37228
615.242.3167, ext. 234
jwilliamson@pencilfd.org