Our Story
The Beginning of A's & Aces
A’s & Aces was founded in 2008 by Anna Monhartova and David Schumacher “to provide academic assistance, life skills and tennis for New Orleans public school children.” The program started with about 30 children, through kindergarten to third grade. Due to scare facilities post Katrina, A's & Aces brought USTA's QuickStart tennis program to school playgrounds, gyms, and once a cafeteria. With the tools of portable nets, smaller courts and easy to handle equipment, A's & Aces mission began.
A’s & Aces was founded in 2008 by Anna Monhartova and David Schumacher “to provide academic assistance, life skills and tennis for New Orleans public school children.” The program started with about 30 children, through kindergarten to third grade. Due to scare facilities post Katrina, A's & Aces brought USTA's QuickStart tennis program to school playgrounds, gyms, and once a cafeteria. With the tools of portable nets, smaller courts and easy to handle equipment, A's & Aces mission began.
National Junior Tennis & Learning (NJTL) History
Arthur Ashe was an American hero who fought battles both on and off the court. He broke barriers in tennis, becoming a three-time Grand Slam champion and the first African American man to win a Grand Slam tournament. Off the court, he was a passionate social activist, confronting issues such as racial prejudice, AIDS, apartheid, and education.
One of his enduring legacies is the National Junior Tennis and Learning (NJTL) network—youth-serving organizations that combine tennis and education to provide opportunities for all. His vision was for NJTL to be a resource that helps young people develop leadership skills and achieve academic excellence.
In 2009, A’s & Aces became an NJTL chapter, joining a nationwide network of tennis-based youth development organizations helping children access the sport. Just a few years later, A’s & Aces was named the 2013 USTA National Chapter of the Year and has since grown into one of the largest NJTL chapters in the Southern Section.
Arthur Ashe was an American hero who fought battles both on and off the court. He broke barriers in tennis, becoming a three-time Grand Slam champion and the first African American man to win a Grand Slam tournament. Off the court, he was a passionate social activist, confronting issues such as racial prejudice, AIDS, apartheid, and education.
One of his enduring legacies is the National Junior Tennis and Learning (NJTL) network—youth-serving organizations that combine tennis and education to provide opportunities for all. His vision was for NJTL to be a resource that helps young people develop leadership skills and achieve academic excellence.
In 2009, A’s & Aces became an NJTL chapter, joining a nationwide network of tennis-based youth development organizations helping children access the sport. Just a few years later, A’s & Aces was named the 2013 USTA National Chapter of the Year and has since grown into one of the largest NJTL chapters in the Southern Section.
The Continuing Legacy
Since its inception, A’s & Aces has steadily expanded its reach and impact. In the early years, programming served students through school partnerships. Shortly after that, afterschool and weekend clinics were added, giving students opportunities for more advanced play and personal development. Summer literacy and tennis camps were introduced, offering year-round academic support alongside athletic training. With each year, the number of children regularly impacted increased — now reaching more than 450 annually. During the academic year, staff works with approximately 350 children each week across in-school, after-school, school-break, and weekend programs, and with about 100 children during the summer months.
This growth has been supported by a dedicated team of full-time staff, 15 part-time/seasonal coaches and teachers, and about 30 volunteers. Together, they address individual needs through one-on-one tutoring, private sessions, and tailored programming. Today, A’s & Aces remains committed to preparing students to succeed academically, socially, emotionally, and physically — from elementary school through college and beyond.
This growth has been supported by a dedicated team of full-time staff, 15 part-time/seasonal coaches and teachers, and about 30 volunteers. Together, they address individual needs through one-on-one tutoring, private sessions, and tailored programming. Today, A’s & Aces remains committed to preparing students to succeed academically, socially, emotionally, and physically — from elementary school through college and beyond.
Parental appreciation of our staff’s work is reflected by many testimonials:
- [My son] has enjoyed participating in the A’s & Aces program and as parents we have enjoyed watching him learn and appreciate the sport of tennis. We are also pleased with the focus on academics that helps to reinforce the importance of a strong education for anything that you want to do or become.
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- "This has been such a great summer at A's & Ace's. We can't believe next week is the last... Freya is so professional and kind. She runs a first class program. The counselors and volunteers are so committed and enthusiastic! Thanks for a great program - our entire family is giving tennis a try now.