Early childhood

Primary-Secondary

Summer

The F3 Soccer & Literacy Program uses the power of sport to uplift communities. We support a youth development model that focuses on organizing programs that combine soccer with the following skills:

• ​Teamwork and leadership building
• Higher-order thinking skills (e.g. critical thinking, problem solving)
• ​Comprehension and vocabulary development
• ​Reading and writing fluency
• ​Interdisciplinary connections (Science, Technology, English, Arts, and Math content)
• Culturally relevant and sustainable pedagogy
• ​​Discussion-based, student-centered inquiry

378 Youth Served
​in 2022

11 Central Ohio Schools Served

"We’re trying to give them a more well-rounded experience than what they’ve had in the past as far as school programs. We sought out strategic partners to help us fulfill that role. That’s what we have with the Final Third Foundation."
     - Derick Vickroy, Columbus Global Academy Director

article found here

“This is a real-life experience that is going to help them become better individuals. Whether it’s through athletics or academics, those two avenues are going to push them to do positive things, and that’s what we want our graduates to be.”
     - Austin Taylor, Principal Northtowne Elementary

article found here

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Research & Literature

Click here to download White Paper.

Click here to download a sample report from F3 partner school, Northtowne elementary

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Director of education, Leiah Groom-Thomas

Leiah Groom-Thomas, Director of Education for F3, will take the lead on developing and expanding F3's Soccer & Literacy Branch, which includes F3 After-school and Summer programs as well as a Train the Trainer Program. Leiah is in the final stages of receiving her PhD in Reading and Literacy in Early and Middle Childhood from The Ohio State University. Her research expertise includes young children’s literacy and comprehension skill development. Prior to pursuing her PhD, Leiah was a teacher at Grace Christian School in Blacklick, Ohio where she also assisted in organizing and operating various camp programs. 

The objectives of the program are to foster a love for reading, generate enthusiasm for the game of soccer, and develop an understanding of teamwork and leadership. 

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