After School and Student Programs

After School Programs

Leonard "Chick" Armstrong Recreation Center.

We are fortunate to be adjacent to the Leonard "Chick" Armstrong Recreation Center.

Leonard "Chick" Armstrong Recreation Center

25 West Reed Ave.

Alexandria, VA 22305

703.746.5554

Director: Angela Redfearn

Facility Features: Racquetball Court, Gymnasium, Arts & Crafts Room, Dance Studio, Game Room, Locker Rooms, Activities Room, Fitness Room, Athletic Field, Teen/Senior Center and free WiFi.

Formerly named the Cora Kelly Recreation Center, City Council renamed the facility on Saturday, September 16, 2017 to honor the significant contributions made by Leonard Armstrong. For additional information, view Docket Item 16-6734.

All patrons, regardless of vaccination status, must wear a mask.

Off-Site After-School Programs:

Boys & Girls Club - Helps students build confidence, develop character and acquire the skills needed to become productive and responsible adults.

YMCA Alexandria - We nurture children in a playful academic environment.

See our PTA website for more club offerings.

Student Programs

Young Scholars

Young Scholars is designed to nurture gifted potential in students from historically underrepresented populations. At Cora Kelly, students are identified in kindergarten through performance tasks that tap into a variety of learning styles.  In collaboration with the classroom teacher, Encore teachers, school guidance counselor and our talented and gifted teacher, provide educational experiences in summer school and throughout the students time at Cora Kelly that prepare them for more challenging and rigorous work.

Math Science and Technology

In 1984, Cora Kelly became a magnet school with a focus on math, science, and technology and we still maintain this focus today.  Through these efforts, we have two dedicated math teachers for 3rd through 5th grade.  We embrace a guided math approach where ongoing assessment is used to inform both whole-class and small group instruction.  Students are provided with real-world problems and encouraged to share their thinking and diverse ways of problem-solving.

We have a science specialist who employs an inquiry approach to include engagement (use of an activator and connecting students’ prior learning and experience), exploration (hands-on activities), explanation (students explaining their learning), elaboration (application of learned concepts), and evaluation (assessing student knowledge).  Students have the opportunity to apply the skills they are learning through hands-on experiences.

At Cora Kelly, we have technology-rich classrooms equipped with SMARTBoards and document cameras. Every student in grades 3 through 5 have a 1:1 Chromebook and every primary grade level has at least one laptop cart and one iPad cart; additionally, we have a computer lab where large group projects can occur.  Technology is not just used as a material or resource here at Cora Kelly but as an instructional teaching tool where instruction cannot only be customized to meet our diverse group of students but readily accessible by all students.

To support our efforts in the area of math, science and technology; we have partnered with organizations such as ReSET, Alexandria Renew and the National Patent and Trademark Office.