Lending a hand to East African students

Abdi Nuur is running out of time to figure out the Cartesian Diver, a classic science experiment that teaches students about properties such as density and buoyancy.

So the Eden Prairie middle school student goes for help to the New American Academy, a program focused on helping the west metro's East African community with education, housing and transportation issues.

"They are usually able to help me with whatever subject," said Nuur, 14. "By the time I get to school, I really get it."

Since the academy moved into its Edina location just over a year ago, it has been offering after-school tutoring Monday through Friday, usually from 5 to 9 p.m.

The program has proven to be immensely popular among Somali students. On some days up to 70 students seek tutoring, provided by the program's cadre of volunteers. Students come from Edina, Eden Prairie, Bloomington and Richfield.

One reason why parents have latched onto the program is because the academy also provides simultaneous services for them, such as classes that help them prepare for citizenship exams, language courses and career counseling.

Moreover, there are several bilingual tutors available to help. Most of their work is concentrated on math and reading instruction.

Getting extra help

That's certainly the case for Rahma Mohamed, who has five children in Eden Prairie schools. She used to shuttle them across town to the University of Minnesota to get extra school help.

Now, with her kids receiving tutoring help at the New American Academy, her drive time has been cut by more than half.

"I feel like my kids have improved a lot since they've been here," she said through a translator. "I'm very happy with it."

One of the reasons why west metro Somali parents are turning to the program is that they feel somewhat shortchanged by local schools.

Hussein Ibrahim said his oldest daughter failed Minnesota's standardized test for the past two years. This year, he expects different results because of the extra help she's getting at the academy.

"I know she's going to pass this year," he said.

Closing the gap

What drives the academy's tutoring program is its volunteer tutors, many of whom are retirees, former educators and teachers in training.

Carolyn Korbel is a retired business consultant who works with fifth- and sixth-graders at the academy, focusing mostly on math instruction.

It's unclear just how well students are faring who use tutoring services offered at the academy; there is only one year of standardized test results to evaluate.

But Shane, a former Eden Prairie math teacher, said many students have gone from reading below grade level to reading at or above the level of their peers. The same goes for math, he said.

To keep students engaged, the academy will offer several summer programs including a soccer camp for girls, Shane said.

He added that the academy wants to expand its services, including those geared toward students, but will need additional support from local communities, businesses and schools.

If that happens, Shane said he sees no reason why students from the west metro's Somali community can't academically thrive.