Seventeen students in Chehalem Elementary's after-school math club improved their STAR math scores during the 2025-26 school year.

The club, led by teacher Louise Yuda, met one hour per week from October through May and targeted students in grades 2-5 who were below grade level in math and were current or former English Language Learners. Four educators stayed after school to provide small-group and one-on-one instruction.

"Students enjoyed the group, had fun with math, and attendance was very good," Yuda said.

The gains were substantial. Participants averaged about 60 points of STAR math growth, with fifth graders leading at a 115-point average increase. According to a Beaverton Education Foundation report, students said the club helped them master multiplication and division.

Chehalem was one of four Title I elementary schools where BEF-funded after-school programs operated this year. The others were William Walker, Aloha Huber Park, and Raleigh Hills. Collectively, students at the four schools logged 3,966 extra instructional hours.

At William Walker Elementary, where 52% of students are English Language Learners, 40 students in grades 1-3 attended a weekly 2.5-hour after-school session covering reading, writing, language proficiency, art, and PE.

All participants were emerging ELL students performing below grade level.

The BEF report noted high student mobility at the school. Still, individual student data showed some participants posting reading score gains exceeding 200 points as they acquired English. Teachers reported students were "highly engaged and actively talking to one another, an important way for them to practice English."

Aloha Huber Park, a Dual Language school where 43% of students are ELL, ran its "Cougar Clubs" for students in grades K-5. Of those tracked, 110 students achieved reading growth at or above grade-level benchmarks.

Eighty students grew their reading scores by 20% over the year, with 50 reaching grade level and 30 surpassing it.

At Raleigh Hills Elementary, four multilingual students who had previously stalled were able to pass their language proficiency tests by May.

The programs serve a fast-growing population. BSD's ELL enrollment rose from 13.3% of students in 2020-21 to 18.0% (6,760 students) in 2024-25, according to Oregon Department of Education data published Thursday, November 20, 2025.

All four participating schools rank among the district's highest-ELL elementary campuses.

BEF funds the programs through its Kids Count Grants. No 2026-27 application deadline has been posted. Families interested in after-school academic support can contact the Beaverton Education Foundation at [email protected] or 503-643-7453.