Every child deserves the tools to think critically and lead with character. See how Operation Xcel bridges the systemic opportunity gap by providing the STEM enrichment and near-peer mentoring that makes any goal—regardless of a student's address—truly attainable.
With the new year comes new goals, new ambitions and new horizons to set our eyes on. Last year is a thing of the past; now, we’re ready to accomplish something bigger and better in 2026.
National Mentoring Month 2026 is here! At Operation Xcel, we’re exploring how our unique mentoring model with local college students is "Bridging Experience and Innovation" to rewrite the future for students in underserved neighborhoods. From boosting college enrollment to increasing lifetime earnings, see the data behind the "multiplier effect" of mentorship.
Discover how to turn MLK Day into a "day on" for your family. We explore local Greensboro service opportunities through Points of Light and discuss the science of "mattering"—how serving others helps our children feel more connected to their community.
Discover why Operation Xcel’s "80% Standard" is the magic number for student success. Learn about our professional ecosystem of teachers, counselors, and Parent SEL workshops in partnership with ADS.
This Financial Wellness Month, see how Operation Xcel utilizes the Edward Jones model and Jump$tart standards to give students a lifelong financial head start.
At Operation Xcel, we believe that academic excellence requires more than just intelligence—it requires tenacity. Explore how our evidence-based strategies combine Personalized Learning Plans with GRIT to prepare students for the future of STEM.
If you want to make a difference in 2026, make giving a part of your New Year’s resolutions. Here are some ideas for how you can create resolutions that give back.
A deep dive into the blueprint for active tolerance. Explore how SEL tools like the 5-step resolution process prepare students for a diverse, globalized world.
Santa Claus is a staple of the winter season, and has been for a very long time. But what do we really know about this jolly legend? Today, we’re going to find out.
At Operation Xcel, we believe every tradition carries a spark of inspiration. Join us as we explore the shared themes of light, hope, and community across Hanukkah, Christmas, and Kwanzaa, and see how these values empower our students to reach for excellence every day.
As you prepare for all of the gifts, parties and dinners headed your way this season, here are some ideas for how to decrease stress during the holidays.
CT is more than coding—it’s the problem-solving blueprint for every subject. Operation Xcel shows how CT boosts student performance in Math, Science, & ELA.
For those of us who are able to give more, this is the perfect opportunity to get involved in your community and help spread the holiday cheer this season.
Discover Operation Xcel's innovative Operation Homework Winter Showcases scheduled for December 2025 across Guilford County. See student projects in robotics, drone technology, and LEGO engineering, alongside arts (dancing, poetry). The post includes the full showcase schedule, highlights the importance of community engagement and career readiness, and makes a strong appeal for unrestricted donations to support underfunded but essential programs, including administrative costs and the annual Back-to-School event for over 400 families.
Operation Xcel empowers students to master STEM through hands-on learning—from LEGO robotics and coding to lemon battery experiments. Our inquiry-driven programs produce measurable growth, including up to 91% science improvement.
If you want to join in and celebrate National Write a Friend Month during this wonderful winter season, here are a couple writing ideas to get you started.
With Thanksgiving nearly behind us and the winter holidays coming up, how can you make others feel warm during the cold season? We have some ideas to get you started.
Celebrate National Young Readers Month! Discover the peer-reviewed evidence proving that early, consistent reading is the ultimate predictor of lifelong success. We share how Operation Xcel is winning the reading challenge, with 56% to 89% of our students improving their scores—and some jumping a full grade level in just six weeks! See how we take the fear out of books and build confident readers.
Celebrate American Education Week by learning how Operation Xcel (OPX) empowers students and families. Discover our holistic approach, the Parent Cafe partnership, and the vital community support from local universities that breaks cycles of poverty.
Gratitude is about more than taking a second to say “Thanks.” Gratitude shows true appreciation. This Thanksgiving, we have some ideas for how you can give gratitude.
Introducing our 2025 End of the Year Fundraising Campaign: 'Rooted in Success.' Our goal this year is critical: to raise funds for new vehicles to ensure students who lack transportation can safely attend and get home from our essential afterschool programs. Join our community-wide effort! Donate in person at one of our seven sites and participate in the fun "Leaf on the Tree" competition to earn bragging rights (and maybe a pizza party!) for your site. You can also donate online and choose to send a special student-designed Holiday Honor Card as a meaningful gift. Every donation helps us remove barriers and plant the seeds for a student's success.
In this blog, we explore the vital role of kindness in fostering a supportive educational atmosphere at Operation Xcel. With a focus on Social-Emotional Learning (SEL), we discuss how kindness is woven into our core competencies, the daily affirmations that shape our students’ character, and the tangible benefits of these practices for self-management and resilience. Join us in building a kinder future, one act of kindness at a time.
We celebrate the strength and unique flavor that every family brings to their child's education. This blog features the work of Operation XCEL's OPeXCEptionaL Family Project, offering tailored support to families with students in our Operation Homework and 3-Steps Ahead programs in Guilford County and Stokesdale. Discover practical resources, learn about our inclusive workshops (like Parent Cafés and IEP/504 sessions), and explore how our mutual commitment leads to the strongest foundation possible—for our students and their families.
How can you spread the cheer by giving back? We have five altruistic ideas for the holiday season that just might do the trick.
Discover why November is the perfect time for families to explore books by Native American authors. This post connects Family Literacy Month with Native American Heritage Month, offering reading suggestions and tips for fostering inclusive, intergenerational learning at home.
No More Silent Stories! The battle against illiteracy starts at home, but do you know the most effective way to help your child read? This guide reveals the proven science behind shared reading, why the common "popcorn reading" method is a massive drawback, and gives you five fun, interactive strategies to make literacy a joyful part of your family's routine. Transform story time into your child's super-power!
This month looks at the world through the eyes of a child, so today we look at how you can recognize National Child Safety and Protection Month, and keep the children in your life safe.
If you strive to live an altruistic lifestyle, there are lots of ways to help out this Halloween. Here are some top tricks to make Halloween a treat for everyone.
Tutors help students young and old to better their education, improve their skills and gain more success in a field of their choice. Why should you consider becoming a tutor?
The Results Are In! We are thrilled to share our annual Impact Report, showcasing the measurable success and growth achieved by our students and programs throughout the 2024–2025 fiscal year. Inside, you'll find powerful stories of student achievement, tangible metrics on program expansion, and a detailed breakdown of how your donations were utilized to fund resources, mentorship, and support across all seven of our sites. This is your chance to see the true return on your investment in our community.
How can you encourage the children in your life to be active and volunteer with their community? We have some ideas for how to get kids involved in giving back.
There are plenty of ways to get involved in your community this month. To get you started, we came up with six spooky-fun volunteering ideas for October.
SEL provides a foundation for positive, long-term effects on kids, adults, and communities, from improving problem-solving and self-discipline to managing emotions. As a result, children thrive, schools succeed, workplaces improve, and society becomes stronger, all thanks to social-emotional learning. Operation Xcel recognizes the value of SEL and its impact on their present and future lives. Operation Xcel incorporates SEL in its programming at all grade levels.
If you’re a bookworm, you know just how great reading can be. If you’re not, check it out, and see all the benefits books can give.
Discover creative ways families and teachers can weave STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) into everyday learning. This guide provides actionable project ideas, valuable resources. It highlights the powerful benefits of hands-on activities in fostering critical thinking and problem-solving skills for children at home and in the classroom.
Make this season about more than just pumpkin spice lattes and costumes. Check out some of these ideas on how you can give back this month.
This blog post examines the urgent issue of school shootings in the United States, highlighting their frequency and severity compared to other countries. It explores contributing factors such as access to firearms, mental health challenges, bullying, and cultural influences. The article also features expert opinions and outlines actionable measures—including stricter gun control, enhanced mental health support, anti-bullying initiatives, and community involvement—to create safer learning environments. Readers will gain valuable insights into the complexities of the problem and potential solutions for protecting students and schools.
Values and beliefs instilled now flourish into actions later. What can you do to instill philanthropic values in your children? To get you started, here are six ways to teach your child about giving.
If you’re looking to celebrate this multicolor season in style with your family, check out these fun fall adventures you need to go on this year.
This blog highlights the value of enrolling children early in academic enrichment and social-emotional learning (SEL) programs. It explains how these programs help build strong academic foundations, develop social skills, and encourage emotional resilience, giving children an educational advantage and minimizing learning gaps. The article emphasizes choosing programs that offer balanced academic and SEL growth, supported by qualified staff and positive environments. Operation Xcel’s Operation Homework program is featured as a free resource for underserved youth, providing tutoring, SEL activities, and family engagement to foster success. Early participation in such programs is presented as a smart investment in a child's future.
Sometimes we all need to feel like a kid again. If you’re tired of adulthood and want to rewind the clock, check out these six activities to relive those childhood memories.
This blog provides an in-depth exploration of the importance and benefits of after-school programs in supporting student success. It discusses how these programs enhance academic achievement through personalized attention, engaging learning methods, and skill development. The blog highlights innovative approaches, such as digital platforms and project-based learning, that prepare students for real-world challenges. Additionally, it emphasizes the role of after-school activities in fostering holistic development, including creativity, confidence, and positive attitudes towards education. Readers will gain insights into how structured, engaging, and tailored after-school programs contribute significantly to academic and personal growth, making them an essential component of comprehensive educational strategies.
Studies have found that volunteering can positively impact both your body and your mind. Here are a few ways doing good in your community can do some good for yourself!
At Operation Xcel, we know that parents, teachers, mentors, and coaches give so much of themselves to help children thrive. This blog explores the importance of self-care and work-life balance for those who care for others. From setting boundaries to practicing mindfulness, we share practical strategies and encouragement to help caregivers recharge, stay resilient, and continue making a positive impact in the lives of students and families.
Fundraisers are an important way to give back to your school and raise money to support causes you care about. However, fundraisers aren’t the only way to get involved.
This blog discusses ways to continue the principles of Operation Xcel at home during Family Fun Month. It presents 10 family-oriented activities designed to reinforce values and skills introduced in after-school and summer sessions, including game nights, outdoor exploration, crafting, and volunteering. These shared experiences may support family relationships, encourage leadership abilities, and contribute to personal development, teamwork, and a continued interest in learning.
This blog provides an authentic look at the daily experiences of two dedicated site directors, Ms. Johnson of Peck Elementary and Ms. Cook of Jamestown Middle School. It highlights their triumphs, challenges, and aspirations as they nurture, inspire, and support students beyond the traditional classroom.
Whether they’re familial, romantic or platonic, relationships are vital to beneficial and stable lives. So how can we learn to build positive and enriching relationships?
This August, we celebrate National Water Quality Month. How can you have an impact on water quality?
