2003 was a year of expansion for ECEF. In January, the Performing Arts Program began with a free children’s choir. They put on two performances a year, one at Christmas and one in the spring. On July 3rd of that year, Henry Burke moved his large collection of West African Art & Artifacts into the building so they could be displayed for the public. This became the West African Art and Artifacts and Underground Museum.
In November the Middle School Program (MSP) began, thanks to a Juvenile Justice Grant. MSP offered academic enrichment and reinforcement after school programming for gr. 6 – 8, and boasts a 1:10 teacher: student ratio. Run similar to the SLS, students are picked up at Marietta Middle School, given a good nutritious snack, have an hour of academic time and then time in the gym or being on the computer with supervision.