Academy Prep Foundation - FAQ, Frequently Asked Questions

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Frequently Asked Questions / FAQ

	Here are some frequently asked questions about Academy Prep.

	How are students selected for Academy Prep? Is starting in the fifth grade early enough? Who are the targeted children? How is the school operated? How is the school funded?		What Academy Prep "IS". What Academy Prep "Is NOT"

	1. How are students selected for Academy Prep? Answer: Academy Prep offers a fifth through eighth grade middle school program designed to help children who qualify for need-based scholarships excel in their studies and develop the skills and confidence vital to compete and succeed as adults. Our classes are limited to 15 students. Students may only enter on the fifth and sixth grade levels, thus ensuring that they have the full benefit of the program. To be eligible to attend this school, a student must: Qualify for the Federal Free or Reduced Lunch Program. Show from prior standardized testing an average to above average ability. Show on an admission test the ability to succeed in a rigorous academic program. Demonstrate consistently in actions the character to be a good citizen both of the school community and the of world community. Demonstrate a commitment to succeed. Because of its small size and personal scope, Academy Prep has adopted a process of selecting students similar to hiring a new employee. Among considerations, key will be each individual's ability to fit into and contribute to the fabric of the school community. The Process: Parent, guardian, or prospective student contacts the school to inquire about admission for an incoming 5th or 6th grader Parent or guardian fills out an application, forwards student's records from previous school School interviews family and student Prospective student takes admission test Prospective student may be invited to attend the required summer program (based on application, interviews, entrance exam performance, prior school records) New students are selected for admission from the Academy Prep summer program class (back to top) 2. Is starting in the fifth grade early enough? Answer: Yes. Ideally, a program would begin early to work closely and intensively with a young person to instill the importance of character, education, hard work, and personal responsibility. The longer we wait, the more difficult the task becomes. Focusing on the middle school years is a pragmatic approach proven to have the greatest impact with limited financial resources. In the middle school years, students typically begin to move away from parents as role models and look toward peers as a way to behave in the world. Unfortunately, some children are already lost to extraordinary challenges by age 10, but schools following our model have shown dramatic results by focusing on the 5th through 8th grade range. (back to top) 3. Who are the targeted children? Answer: To be considered for admission, all children must qualify for need-based scholarships--determined by qualification for the Federal Free or Reduced Program. Among those children, we aim for students who have demonstrated reasonable behavior in elementary school, with high potential for success. The Academy Prep program is designed for students who demonstrate the ability and desire to succeed in a rigorous and demanding academic program and who wish to be positive and productive citizens.(back to top) 4. How is the school operated? Answer: Commitment The school requires that both students and parents be involved in the operations of the school. As a part of their day, students are required to do some upkeep of the premises. Parents are also expected to volunteer their time in the program. In return, the school pledges a long-term commitment to each student. Academy Prep will secure scholarships from the community to support each student's tuition in grades 5-8 at the school. Additionally, after graduation from Academy Prep, the school will assist in placing the students in high school programs that best suit the needs of the individual student--including private schools, boarding schools, public magnet schools, or enhanced learning programs. The school will monitor students' progress throughout high school, supporting students academically, socially, and in some cases, financially. The school will then assist those who intend to go on to college with the application process, scholarships, and other support. Curriculum We place a particular emphasis on language skills because to communicate any idea in any field, one first must understand how to communicate. The basics are: Reading Writing Speech Math Science Social Studies Foreign Language Arts and Music Physical Education (back to top) 5. How is the school funded? Answer: Academy Prep Centers are a privately-funded programs with no religious or governmental affiliation. Funding comes from private donations from individuals, corporations, and foundations. Funding vehicles include: Annual Planting Drive "Annual Planting" is the name given to our annual campaign to raise scholarship funds for students to attend Academy Prep. Donors give through the Annual Planting campaign year round via cash, securities, or in-kind donations, or by supporting events. See Support for more information. Live Oak Legacy Society The Live Oak Legacy Society is Academy Prep's way to recognize those friends who have acknowledged their plans to support the Foundation through their estate plans. Whether through a will, a trust, a life insurance policy, or an annuity, supporting Academy Prep through planned giving ensures that the programs friends value continue to be funded in the future. See Support for more information. Community Contribution Tax Credit Program A state-sponsored tax credit program for businesses wishing to contribute to capital projects located in designated enterprise zones. See Support for more information. (back to top)

	Academy Prep is… An uncommon private school: Serves children of low-income families, not those who can afford a traditional prep school Operates with high expectations for student achievement, work ethic, behavior, and citizenship Provides a nurturing environment with extended days in a year round program A program for students who: Qualify for need-based scholarships Have the ability and desire to succeed in a rigorous academic program Serving students for long hours, weeks, and years: 11 hours a day/ 6 days a week/ year round Boys and girls are educated separately during the school day for a full college preparatory curriculum of "the basics" plus music, art, and physical education Each afternoon, students clean the school after classes After cleaning, students attend required after-school activities: drama, chess, karate, etc. After activities, students who are not on the honor roll attend a supervised study hall in the evenings Monday through Thursday Saturday activities are required and include educational field trips and service projects A summer program of academics and activities--required of all students and prospective students Offering a long-term commitment to students entering 5th grade: Commits to supporting in grades 5 through 8 on campus students with full scholarships provided by the local community Commits to pairing each graduating 8th grade student with the high school that best suits the needs of the individual and seeking graduate scholarships for that student Commits to supporting graduates academically, socially, and sometimes financially, throughout their educational careers Committing to provide full scholarships for students who qualify: Scholarships are privately supported by individuals, businesses, and foundations Focusing on educating the "whole child," emphasizing the mind, body, and soul: Commits to supporting graduates throughout their educational careers with A rigorous college preparatory curriculum is supplemented by a wide range of required arts activities, community service work, and high expectations for behavior and moral conduct Seeing results: Students are achieving, growing as scholars and responsible citizens 95% of graduates are still in school Unlike any other school in the Tampa Bay area: Academy Prep is about changing lives and interrupting the cycle that fuels poverty (back to top)		Academy Prep is… NOT a charter school or a public school: All students attend on full scholarships provided by the private community—from individuals, businesses, and foundations Academy Prep chooses not to accept funding which might compromise our ability to make the decisions we feel necessary to educate and serve our students NOT a school for "troubled" kids or for students with specific learning disabilities: Academy Prep expects students to adhere to a strict code of conduct, to put forth earnest effort to complete assignments, and to prepare for school work Academy Prep requires service hours from parents and parental support for Academy Prep programs Academy Prep is designed for students who are of average to above-average ability and who exhibit high character and a desire to succeed NOT a school for everyone: Students must want to be at Academy Prep: they must commit to a regimen of long hours and earnest hard work to realize the full benefit of the Academy Prep experience Families of students must be willing to sacrifice by committing to the same hours and high expectations for their children Academy Prep is a way of life, not just a school NOT a boarding school: Apartments on campus are for full-time volunteer teachers who work for room and board, insurance, and a very small monthly stipend. They are caring adults who are available day or night for students in need. NOT unique in the world: Academy Prep is based on a model school, Nativity Mission Center (founded 1971 in New York City) More than 40 other programs around the state are based upon Nativity Mission’s program Currently, 2 Academy Preps operate in the Tampa Bay area—in south St. Petersburg and in Tampa’s historic Ybor City Nativity schools (including Academy Preps) focus on middle school years; extended day, week, year; need-based scholarships from private sources NOT elitist: Our aim is to graduate students who are highly likely to finish high school and college and who desire to become productive, positive members of the community (back to top)

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