Normal West has implemented an after-school tutoring program for students of all grades to attend.

Academic assistance is available for one hour each Monday and Wednesday from 3:30-4:30 pm.

This time is reserved for all students to receive extra academic tutoring in all subjects, and there are a variety of tutors, including students and teachers, making the tutoring more productive.

The student tutors specialize in math and English and can also use their math knowledge to tutor in subjects like chemistry and physics.

Academic assistance is also a great opportunity for students who just need a comfortable space to complete their work.

“A lot of people just come to do their work. They maybe don’t need help, but if they go home, they’ll ignore it. So, they just stay here and do it, and then it’s done and they don’t have to worry about it. It’s a good place [to] make up… any missing work…things like that,” Academic Assistance supervisor and Normal West English teacher, Nicki Sabuco, stated.

The program also includes transportation for each session, making it easier for students to return home easily.

Students can freely interact with tutors and other students to help complete their tasks.

There is always assistance readily available at this time.

Teachers like Sabuco are not only there to supervise and provide snacks to students, but they are also available for extra help when needed.

Dr. Francesc Borrull is one of the assistant principals of Normal West High School and a lead-supervisor during Academic Assistance.

Academic Assistance is one of many components in his job where he has to attend.

“There are really about 80 or 90 different programs or initiatives that we have to supervise, so there’s one component of it. It’s part of my job to supervise what’s going on in the school, but at the same time, I am very much committed to academic excellence and [pleased to] support that goal. So that’s why it is important for me personally to be involved with this program,” Borrull stated.

Borrull supports opportunities that help students improve their grades. With his involvement, students can be inspired to participate.

To help fund this program, State Farm has provided grant money to pay the teachers and buy supplies for students.

“We’re thankful for the grant because of the grant we are able to fund the program by paying the teachers who are here,” Borull shared.

“Even the snacks that you see around here are paid with the money that we receive from the [grant], so we hope that [we] will continue receiving the grant money in the future, and also, we are thankful for the [tutors] who come here every week,” Borrull added.

With the grant, the program can continue to operate and provide academic assistance to students who need it.

Students who attend Academic Assistance can greatly benefit from this program, as it provides a way for them to improve their grades.

“[It helps] get their grades up a lot of times,” said Sabuco. “It’s a space to do work for people who are doing the tutoring themselves.”

On Monday, November 24, the Academic Assistance program hosted a brief appreciation to publicly recognize the students in Math and English honor societies who graciously volunteer their time to tutor their peers.

During the event, the following students were acknowledged and received a gift card as a token of appreciation: Asiel Stafford, Eva Bankston, Ashton Wetzel, Dylan Barth, Calla Heller, Gage Clark, Olive Blick, Cole Smith, Amanda Warren, Sebastian Liles, Mason Montgomery, Renee Warren, Kaelynn Roethle, Addison McConkey, Julia Knuth, and Max Alpas.

“[To] let them know how much we appreciate [their] work they received a small token of appreciation…[with] a gift card… so just a little thing to say thank you,” Borrull stated.

Tutors have high hopes for the future, with more students to assist academically.

“It’s a way to honor the people that are helping, and hopefully that will encourage more people to help, and we’re looking for ways to encourage more people to come,” Sabuco shared.

The Academic Assistance tutors aim to build a foundation for students to improve their grades.

“So we hope that [we] will…continue receiving the grant money in the future and also we are thankful for the [tutors] who come here every week…because the school’s academics also will improve overall,” Borrull stated.

In the future, Dr. Borrull wants more students to use the academic program and for everyone to succeed in school.

If you’re interested in participating in the program, please visit the IMC on Mondays and Wednesdays from 3:30 – 4:30pm.