GO Project History and Mission

Founded in 1968, the GO Project provides academic assistance and social services to low- income, underperforming elementary school children in Lower Manhattan.  GO identifies public school students performing below grade level and helps improve their academic performance, build self-esteem, and develop essential life skills. GO’s year-round programs address the intellectual, social and emotional needs of children and their families.

                                                GO Project Students

The GO Project serves students who attend over 30 public elementary schools below 14th street in Manhattan.  Most GO students may be described as first generation low-income individuals and as ESL learners whose parents speak Spanish, Mandarin or Cantonese.  GO currently serves over 250 students.

                                             GO Program Components

The GO Project offers year-round intensive academic assistance and enrichment programming. Students make a year-long commitment to the GO Project and parents agree to support this pledge. The GO Project model includes:

• GO Summer: A rigorous, five-week classroom program with a staff of 30 certified teachers and specialists, 24 enrichment teachers, 54 teaching assistants and numerous volunteer aides.  Students attend five days a week from 9AM to 5PM for a full day of academic and enrichment classes.  Class size is deliberately kept small with a maximum of 12 students.  Each morning, students concentrate on intensive reading, writing and math, with a focus on the specific areas where each student requires improvement.  In the afternoon, the students enjoy enrichment classes in subjects ranging from art and music to computers and nutrition. GO’s content-rich, varied program helps build self-confidence along with academic performance. 

• GO School: Previously a Saturday-based tutorial program, GO has strengthened the model by integrating professional teachers into the curriculum. GO School is comprised of two and a half hours of academic instruction and skill building on 22 Saturdays from October through April.   Professional teachers lead lessons, support volunteer tutors, and communicate with parents to keep them informed about their child’s progress. Volunteer tutors make a full-year commitment to teach, and mentor their students which provides the consistent and individualized help that they need to succeed. 

• GO Families: A year-round social service program designed to empower parents of participants in creating positive learning environments at home and to address various student learning and behavioral issues.  GO Families employs licensed social workers who provide services to students and their parents in three areas: year-round counseling, parent educational workshops, and referral to outside agencies.  These services complement and extend GO’s academic intervention by providing the emotional support and network of resources needed for families to be constructive advocates for their child’s academic career.