ACES Youth Score Big on Social-Emotional Learning with Minnesota United and Target

Remember the joy of back-to-school shopping? Picking out fun pencils, fresh notebooks, and a new backpack made the upcoming school year feel like it was full of possibilities!

In partnership with the Minnesota United FC and Target, a select group of our ACES students took a field trip to Target where they were greeted by Minnesota United players Michael Boxall and Robin Lod, Loons mascot PK, and a team of enthusiastic Target personal shoppers ready to give them a back-to-school shopping experience that was anything but ordinary.

Taylor AndersonAugust 12, 2025Comment

Bowling Into Summer with the St. Paul Saints and Treasure Island!

The 2024–25 school year is officially in the books and what better way to celebrate than with one of our most legendary field trips of the year?

Held at Treasure Island’s Island Xtreme Bowl, the party was full of fun, laughter, and unforgettable memories. Students teamed up with Saints players for an evening that had it all: bowling strikes and spares (and an occasional gutter ball), pizza parties, spontaneous dance-offs, high-fives galore, and autographs that our students will treasure for years to come.

Taylor AndersonJuly 7, 2025Comment

ACES Named the Nonprofit Recipient for July at Treasure Island Resort & Casino!

This July, ACES is honored to team up with Treasure Island Resort & Casino as the nonprofit recipient of the Island Impact initiative! From concerts, donated slot tickets, Charity Bingo, and more, there are plenty of ways to support our students this summer.

Join us for Music by the Mississippi, drop in for a game of Charity Bingo, and help make this month a slam dunk for youth empowerment!

Taylor AndersonJuly 3, 2025Comment

Celebrating Our Impact

At All-Star Evening, ACES was proud to premier a video that celebrates our impact on Minnesota students. A special thank you to Mark Rosen for narrating and to the students and their families who were willing to share how ACES has made a difference in their lives.

Jennifer SchultzJune 17, 2025Comment

All-Star Evening 2025: A Night of Celebration, Community, and Impact

On May 15, over 500 supporters joined us at The Fillmore Minneapolis for a night that truly knocked it out of the park! From inspiring student speakers to our first-ever afterparty, All-Star Evening was a powerful celebration of youth potential and community connection.

Thanks to you, we’re expanding programs, empowering students, and keeping the momentum going.

Jennifer SchultzJune 13, 2025Comment

ACES Faces Feature: Meet DJ

From mastering Math to leading his peers with confidence, DJ brings his A-game to every part of ACES. Whether he’s building creative projects, learning about Paralympic sports, or shooting hoops with friends, DJ shows what it means to lead with heart and curiosity.

His teachers describe him as fearless, kind, and uplifting. Alex Ho, one of his Academic Coaches, explains, “His willingness to volunteer to lead his peers is inspiring, and he does it effortlessly.”

Check out how DJ is growing his skills, lifting up others, and making every moment count—on and off the court.

Jennifer SchultzMay 27, 2025Comment

ACES Faces Feature: Meet Jose

At ACES, we believe learning is at its best when it’s active, creative, and connected to students’ passions—and Jose is proof of that in action. A fan of baseball and math, Jose loves how ACES blends both through fun, engaging projects like stadium building and sports stats.

“ACES is a fun learning program that you can take so you can learn more math and teams and stuff,” he says. Jose has shown incredible growth in his confidence and focus, especially with long division, and brings a calm, positive energy that lifts up those around him.

Taylor AndersonApril 8, 2025Comment

ACES Faces Feature: Meet Kenneth

At ACES, learning goes beyond the classroom, and Kenneth is a perfect example of how math, sports, and teamwork come together to create an engaging and fun experience.

A 5th grader with a love for basketball and a drive to challenge himself, Kenneth thrives in ACES activities that blend hands-on learning with real-world applications. From designing a mini-golf course to calculating his vertical jump in our basketball combine, Kenneth has discovered new ways to apply math in sports and everyday life.

Jennifer SchultzMarch 12, 2025Comment

ACES Faces Feature: Meet Eva and Forever!

Meet Eva and Forever, two of our ACES youth who embody what it looks like to engage with ACES programming.

Site Coordinator Rachel sees firsthand how Eva and Forever take full advantage of everything ACES has to offer. “They are two young people who want to get the most out of their time at ACES after school, working with their peers on projects, spending time with ACES staff on their homework, and coming along on our field trips,” Rachel shares.

Taylor AndersonJanuary 31, 2025Comment

ACES Faces Feature: Meet Deissy!

In just a few months, Deissy has embraced the ACES curriculum. One of her favorite moments was when the ACES team combined math with baseball. “My favorite part was when we played baseball. I hadn’t really played before, and it was a new experience. Every time we scored a point in the game, we got a new equation to solve. Then you go to the teacher to check if you got the right answer.”

Taylor AndersonDecember 10, 2024Comment

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