Read this article as it originally appeared on The Newark Patch 

Before they’re allowed to shoot baskets, children enrolled in The North Ward Center’s recreation program first have to hit the books.

The after-school tutoring program, designed for students in kindergarten through sixth grades who are struggling in school, was launched in response to parents’ demand to put academics before sports.

“We know there is a need for this and it is easier to get their attention now when they are younger,” said Rashard Casey, the director of the North Ward Center’s Youth Development and Recreation Program. “We are stressing from a young age that academics coincides with athletics.”

Stephen N. Adubato, the founder of The North Ward Center, said it made sense for the recreation program to offer after school tutoring.

“We were founded as an educational institution and we are best known for our education programs,” said Adubato, who also founded the Robert Treat Academy, a Blue Ribbon K-8 charter school that serves 525 students in two locations. “This is a great way to ensure even more students in Newark are academically successful.”

The tutoring program is located at St. Lucy’s Community Center on 7th Avenue,where The North Ward Center has been leasing an underutilized gym since March 2010.

Four times a week, groups of 25 students meet after school in a dedicated classroom at the community center to take part in homework help, tutoring and athletics. The students do schoolwork from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. before participating in sports until 8:00 p.m. The Recreation program offers basketball, baseball and flag football.