Since the start of 2023, a plethora of new students have enrolled in StreetSquash, a large portion of them coming from Mott Hall II, a middle school located just over a mile from the SL Green StreetSquash Center. 

Around 30 students from Mott Hall II now walk the halls of StreetSquash during the week. And the school’s principal Marlon Lowe couldn’t be more thrilled about it. He says StreetSquash and his school have a shared vision.

“The symmetry was incredible,” principal Marlon Lowe said. “StreetSquash uses IXL (a learning software), we use IXL. They use Yonder pouches (to limit cell phone use), we use Yonder pouches. I said it’s really important that students get time with a tutor. StreetSquash said that’s how students start in the program. There’s this philosophical alignment.”

Marlon first heard about StreetSquash from a parent who spoke very highly of the program and put him in touch with the organization. After that, he did a site visit and he says he spent three hours at StreetSquash.

“I was blown away,” Marlon said. “In fact, I was so blown away, I shared it with staff and even with parents. I was like, ‘if you live in this area, your kids need to be going to StreetSquash. I’m not saying this as a principal. I’m say this as someone who if I lived in the neighborhood, my kids would be going here.’”

In addition to all the resources StreetSquash provides, Marlon says he loves knowing there’s a place to keep students engaged until 6pm.

“Effectively we have a 19th century public education model built onto a 21st century society,” Marlon said. “We finish the day on the agricultural calendar. The school day should be longer. The kids should be engaged in academic and productivity in my opinion until at least 6pm.” 

But it’s more than just getting kids into the building. The students have to be invested in the program for it to work. And so far, the feedback has been positive. 

“I just had a check in with one of my students, who is one of my more difficult students,” Marlon said. “She has some behavioral issues too. She was raving about the program. She said the program was fantastic.”

He said another student was skeptical at first because it was the parent who was pushing the student to do it, a very common theme amongst current and former StreetSquash participants. 

“But she’s completely bought in,” Marlon said. “She likes the professionalism, the sense of urgency, the consistency.”

Marlon says student attendance at StreetSquash is strong and he wants that to continue. He says the continued partnership will also be a test of caregivers to see how serious they are about getting their kids the level of support necessary.

“From our collaboration, I think we’re going to find out how authentic and sincere some of the parents are in their desires and their needs,” Marlon said. “Do they really mean what they say when they say they want this kind of experience.”