Before joining Operation Xcel’s after school program, Operation Homework, Makenna struggled with her reading skills. While her test scores were passable, she still needed extra support to thrive. Between her mother, Courtney’s demanding schedule and Makenna’s own busy routine of cheerleading and gymnastics, finding time for focused academic help was a challenge.

Knowing she needed a solution, Courtney began searching for a local after-school tutoring program. She needed something cost-effective, academically rigorous, and flexible enough to accommodate her daughter's changing extracurricular schedules. After an extensive search, she found the perfect fit: Operation Homework. 

The transformation our staff witnessed over the course of the year was nothing short of remarkable.

When she first arrived, she was timid, mostly speaking only to the staff and nervous about mingling with her peers. But as she settled into the supportive environment of Operation Xcel, she blossomed. The quiet girl who once kept to herself evolved into a confident leader. She became the go-to person for giving her peers a mood-boosting pep talk on tough days. She wasn't just a competitive cheerleader outside of school, but a true cheerleader for her peers in the classroom, always encouraging them to try again if they didn’t succeed the first time.

Her academic growth mirrored her social blossoming. In the beginning, she relied heavily on one-on-one assistance to get through certain parts of her assignments. As the year progressed, staff happily noted that she was flourishing completely on her own, tackling her entire workload with independence and confidence. 

Her positive energy didn't stop at academics and peer support. Courtney proudly shared with us how much of a "helper" her daughter was becoming at home, a trait we saw firsthand every day. She is now consistently the first to ask if she can help clean up the classroom, especially if it involves sweeping! At Operation Xcel, we are over the moon to have such enthusiastic helping hands.

We are incredibly thankful to have gifted, talented, and kind-hearted students like her in our program. 

Every child deserves the best shot at a great education, and Operation Xcel is here to make sure that happens. We understand that parents have incredibly busy schedules, and at the end of a long workday, there isn't always enough time or energy to sit down and navigate every detail of homework or school projects.