Student Spotlight: Meet Addie!
Addie with her dog, Pria.
Meet Addie, a vibrant 4th grader at Bridgewater Elementary School in Northfield, who has shined in the inaugural year of the ACES program at her school. From the moment Addie joined ACES at the beginning of the year, her journey has been marked by growth and confidence-building experiences.
With a love for sports, particularly softball and volleyball, Addie was excited about the way ACES incorporates sports into its curriculum from the beginning. At first, Addie hesitated to speak up in class. Throughout the year, she has blossomed into a confident and engaged learner. Today, she helps her peers with their classwork and is often the first to raise her hand to answer a question.
When asked about her favorite part of ACES, she quickly responds, "I like getting to spend time with my friends." But it's not just the camaraderie that Addie values – she recognizes the academic benefits as well. "ACES has helped me know what math is coming next, so that I’m better at it," she shares. And with the incorporation of sports activities into the program, Addie finds joy in learning math: "Adding sports makes it more fun, so we can enjoy doing math."
Nadine Bartolo, ACES Site Coordinator at Bridgewater Elementary and Northfield Middle School, reflects, “It's been a joy getting to know Addie this year. Throughout the year she demonstrated amazing leadership skills. She supported her classmates during math activities, mediated disagreements, and always remained optimistic. It really enjoyed hearing about her adventures and games.”
Over the last 30 years, ACES has supported more than 10,000 Minnesota middle schoolers like Addie. Through its unique approach, ACES not only enhances academic outcomes but also fosters essential social-emotional skills such as teamwork, perseverance, and confidence. With a curriculum grounded in real-world applications and a focus on social-emotional development, ACES empowers students like Addie to thrive both inside and outside the classroom.