Community Programs
Armour Dance Theatre’s Community Programs deliver free comprehensive after-school and summer camp programs in five neighborhoods across Miami-Dade County. Using a vibrant combination of the arts, academic instruction, and holistic strategies, Armour Dance Theatre helps propel students toward new choices and opportunities.
To get more information on how to enroll in our community programs please contact Kelly Robotham, Director of Community Programs at Kelly@armourdance.org
Donate today to support free after school Community Programs:
After School Programs
Below please find the schedule and list of staff for each of the four community program sites. To register click your desired location and click register in your age group. If you have any questions about the schedule or registration please contact Kelly@armourdance.org
Goals of Community Programs
Community programs aim to create a safe and supportive environment where students can thrive academically and personally. They provide quality art experiences to foster creativity while also focusing on improving reading and math skills, helping struggling students reach grade level. By offering homework assistance and academic support, these programs enhance overall achievement. Additionally, they promote social and emotional well-being and connect families with essential resources and services.
The Formula For The Program is Simple
- Deliver the highest quality Arts and Education after school and summer camp programs.
- Build trust with the children and families.
- Build long-term life skills.
- Remove obstacles to opportunity and success.
Measuring Progress
Armour Dance Theatre tracks the impact of its Community Programs by collecting and analyzing student progress throughout the school year and summer weeks.
Armour Dance Theatre’s staff are trained on how to properly use evidence-based tools and conduct assessments three times per year and two times during the summer weeks.
Evaluation Tools include:
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The Classroom Skills Assessment Checklist. This TAYB tool is based on our syllabus and will follow the monthly progress of basic skills and benchmarks to be achieved in ballet, modern, and tap classes.
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The Americans for the Arts, YouthARTS assessment tool. YouthARTS is an evidence-based program used to assess the summer programming at the So Miami site.
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iSteep Maze and ORF assessments to measure reading comprehension and oral reading fluency and oral reading fluency.
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Parent and student satisfaction surveys for evaluation of general programming and family engagement events.
Impact
We measure the progress of our students through a pre, mid, and post-test, during the school yea,r and through the pre and post-test during the summer. We track the progress in the areas of reading comprehension and oral fluency, physical fitness, and social-emotional learning.
Below are the outcomes of the 2022-2023 school year across all four sites.
Students Testing at Grade Level in Oral Reading Fluency
(K – 2nd Grade)
Students Testing at Grade Level in Oral Reading Fluency
(3rd – 5th)
Students Who Improve Fitness Compared to their Pre-Test Score
Dance Teachers
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Meredith Barton – Ballet & Composition
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Natalie Axley – Jazz & Conditioning
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Angelica Diaz – Ballet & Salsa
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Davin Thompson – Hip Hop
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Deja Darbonne – Ballet
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Natasha Williams – Tap & Repertoire
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Paula Castano – Flamenco & Social Dance
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Chipo Afafumena – West African
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Jamal Campbell – Musical Theatre
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Barny Espinal – Afro Cuban Fusion
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Emily Ricca – Ballet
Administrative Staff
- Ruth Wiesen, Executive Director
- Camila Gil, Associate Executive Director
- Kelly Robotham, Director of Community Programs
