ABOUT
Our Mission Statement & Vision
Our mission is to empower the next generation with the tools and skills necessary to succeed in life. We believe that chess is more than just a game, it's a powerful tool that helps children develop critical thinking, problem solving, and decision-making skills. Through our after-school enrichment program, we mentor students via the game of chess to be adequately prepared to face life's challenges and be all that they aspire to be. Our focus on real-life scenarios and story-telling engages students and makes learning chess fun, educational, and memorable.
Our vision is to instill in each of our students the critical thinking skills, emotional intelligence, and resilience needed to navigate the challenges of life. Through the game of chess, we aim to foster a lifelong love of learning, a passion for problem-solving, and a sense of confidence and purpose in all of our students."
Core Values
Empowerment: We believe in empowering students with essential life skills and strategies for success.
Critical Thinking: We value the development of critical thinking skills in students through the game of chess.
Problem-Solving: We encourage students to approach problems with a solution-oriented mindset and to apply problem-solving skills to all areas of their lives.
Character Development: We believe in the importance of character traits such as determination, focus, resilience, and sportsmanship, which are necessary for victory and personal growth.
Mentorship: We believe that mentoring is a key component of our program, and we aim to instill in our students the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in life.
Real-Life Application: We value the incorporation of real-life scenarios into each lesson to help students see the practical application of the skills they learn.
Discipline & Mental Fortitude: We help students develop the discipline and mental fortitude needed to face life's challenges with confidence and succeed.
Safety: We are committed to promoting the safety and well-being of our students, and believe that chess can be a valuable tool for keeping kids occupied and out of trouble.
Fun: We believe that learning should be fun, and we strive to make every lesson engaging, interactive, and memorable for our students.
Community: We believe that in today's fast-paced and technology-driven society, it's more important than ever to provide children with opportunities for in-person interaction, critical thinking, and good sportsmanship.
Our Teaching Style
Chess Prep & Beyond recognizes that learning the game of chess can be intimidating and uninteresting, especially for beginners, which is why we have developed a unique teaching approach to make the learning process both fun and effective. Our program incorporates storytelling as a tool to teach chess principles, making the lessons engaging and memorable for children of all ages.
By weaving real-life tales into our curriculum, we help students understand the significance of each chess piece and how to create effective game strategies. Our approach to teaching chess through storytelling creates an enjoyable and entertaining experience that encourages children to remain engaged and enthusiastic about the game.
Every aspect of chess has a meaningful story behind it, and our program ensures that each story is shared with our students to make their learning experience more exciting and impactful. Our goal is to help children learn not only the rules of the game but also the life skills that come with it, such as critical thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making.
We believe that the transformative power of storytelling can inspire students to develop a love for chess that will stay with them for years to come. Moreover, our program is designed to help children discover the joys of learning while building confidence and fostering a lifelong passion for the game. Join us on this exciting journey of discovery and growth, and let us show you how storytelling can unlock the full potential of your child's chess education.
Why Chess?
Improving problem-solving and critical thinking skills: Chess requires players to think ahead and anticipate their opponent's moves, which helps develop strategic thinking and problem-solving skills.
Enhancing academic performance: Research has shown that students who play chess tend to have higher test scores and improved concentration and memory.
Boosting self-confidence: As children learn and improve their chess skills, they can gain a sense of accomplishment and confidence in their abilities.
Fostering creativity: Chess is a game that allows for creativity and innovation, encouraging children to think outside the box and explore different possibilities.
Improving time management skills: Chess games have a set time limit, which can help children learn how to manage their time effectively and make decisions quickly.
Encouraging lifelong learning: Chess is a game that can be played and enjoyed throughout one's lifetime, and after-school chess programs can help foster a love of the game and a lifelong pursuit of learning.
Developing patience and focus: Chess requires a great deal of concentration and patience, which can help children develop these important skills over time.
Teaching sportsmanship and resilience: Chess involves both wins and losses, and can help children learn how to be gracious in victory and resilient in defeat.
Developing emotional intelligence: Chess can help children learn how to manage their emotions, control their impulses, and develop empathy for others.
Keeping children engaged and occupied: After-school chess programs provide a safe and stimulating environment for children to spend their time, keeping them away from negative influences and helping them stay focused on positive activities.
What Makes Us Unique?
Chess Prep and Beyond is a comprehensive enrichment program that goes beyond just providing a safe and fun environment for kids to play chess. It is designed to impart essential life skills and strategies for success, helping children tackle the challenges of life with confidence and achieve their goals.
The program uses chess as a tool to teach critical thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making skills, which are essential for success both in and outside the classroom.
Chess Prep and Beyond's unique approach to teaching chess principles, through storytelling, makes learning enjoyable, engaging, and memorable. This sets us apart from other after-school programs that may focus solely on instruction.
The program incorporates real-life scenarios into each lesson, highlighting specific character traits necessary for victory and personal growth. This emphasis on character development goes beyond traditional after-school programs that may only focus on academic or athletic achievement.