Our Story
Our mission is to inspire and engage K-12 students through a diverse range of educational programs that foster creativity, critical thinking, and independence. Learn more about our journey and the impact we’ve made in schools and communities.
HISTORY OF CSGA
The Chess & Strategy Game Association (CSGA) Enrichment was founded in 2014 by Executive Director Bill Nara, a former high school teacher who saw a great need for before- and after-school programs, as well as summer programming, for K-12 students.
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As a youth, Bill participated in programs based on his personal interests, but he realized that many of these programs were no longer available to students. He began CSGA programming with chess and strategy games, teaching just five students in one school district. As the program grew, CSGA brought on Associate Executive Director Jason Lavine and expanded into more school districts.
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It quickly became apparent that students needed more than chess and strategy games to fully meet their interests and potential. STEM programs, including coding, 3D printing, robotics, and rocket building, were introduced alongside cultural and arts classes like cooking, young writers' workshops, rock band, and improv. Additional specific-interest programs such as crafting, knitting, and outdoor recreational activities were added to broaden the offerings.
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More recently, CSGA has expanded into online programming, offering options for chess players and students interested in personal finance and the stock market. These programs aim to engage students in self-motivated activities that inspire entrepreneurship and independence.
Today, CSGA operates in 12 school districts and reaches over 1,500 students.