TennisWorks Partners

Andersen is our longest standing school partner!  Every Wednesday and Thursday, 26 3rd through 8th graders experience age-appropriate tennis activities and life skills enrichment programming at FWTEC. Our coaches provide transportation using our Fort van as well as an rented 15-passenger van.

Urban Academy is a charter school in St. Paul with eager and attentive students, but no gym space for physical education programming.  Regular field trips to The Fort are built into the curriculum for every class in grades 3 through 6, so the youth can improve their physical literacy, be exposed to healthy activities, and learn a new sport.

Bancroft has been a valued partner of The Fort since 2016.  Every Monday and Wednesday, approximately 15 3rd through 5th graders experience tennis and life skills programming in their school gym and additional monthly field trips to The Fort.  As suggested by one of the players, one of their team agreements is to always enter the gym with joy.

Folwell Performing Arts Magnet is a K-8 school located in South Minneapolis and has been a valued partner of The Fort since 2014. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, their younger classmates in 3rd through 5th grade have the opportunity to play tennis both at their school gym and at The Fort. This group focuses heavily on developing important social and emotional skills.

Anishinaabe & Anne Sullivan are new school partners this 2022-2023 school year! Every Tuesday and Thursday, approximately 13 3rd through 5th graders experience tennis and like skills programming in their school gym and additional monthly field trips to The Fort. We also partner with these schools to provide a tennis unit in their Physical Education classes. Each class receives a minimum of five tennis experiences in P.E.

Ella Baker is a new school partner this 2022-2023 school year! On Mondays and Tuesdays, our coaches provide transportation for approximately 13 6th through 8th graders using our Fort van. At FWTEC, students experience age-appropriate tennis training and life skills programming. On Thursdays, this programming extends to younger students, including approximately 12 3rd through 5th graders. We also partner with Ella Baker to provide a tennis unit during their Physical Education classes. Each class receives a minimum of five tennis experiences in P.E.

Gustavus Tennis and Life Camps have partnered with The Fort to scholarship youth to both winter retreat camps as well as summer junior tennis camps.  Youth are recruited from our after-school programs to give them an opportunity to take tennis to the next level, meet new people in a supportive environment, and experience a college campus outside of the Twin Cities metro area.

A section office of the United States Tennis Association, USTA Northern is a valued partner offering guidance, training, networking opportunities, equipment, and financial support to The Fort.  Several members of The Fort staff are on volunteer committees for USTA Northern and/or are involved with administering USTA sanctioned programming here at The Fort.

Through a shared purpose to positively influence the lives of youth through tennis and education, The Fort partners with InnerCity Tennis and St. Paul Urban Tennis to provide resources and a comprehensive pathway of accessible play opportunities for kids from the first exposure in a school or outreach setting through high school and beyond. 

As a 4-star National Junior Tennis and Learning Chapter, The Fort is grateful to work in partnership with the USTA Foundation to bring tennis and education together to change lives.