A-1 Learning Connections

A-1 SMART Institute serves 110 Austin East High and Vine Middle School students through activities that promote physical activity and healthy eating habits. Since the majority of students are African Americans living in the diabetes belt of America, they are 25% more likely to develop diabetes. This funding will provide a program where students will participate in 60 minutes per day of consistent, intentionally scheduled cardiovascular, muscle and bone-strengthening activities with an emphasis on healthy eating habits. Surveys have shown that healthier life choices will result in better grades/GPAs, staying in school, on-time graduation, increased lifetime health.