Academy Prep Program
Individual Attention
During the middle school years, a most formative time in a young
life, we often make decisions that can impact a lifetime. In an overcrowded
classroom situation, there's little time to guide the child in trouble
and instill in him or her a love of learning. Without that guidance, however,
many of our inner city youth run the risk of becoming statistics--heading
toward failure and dropping out of the educational system all together.
Many are on the brink of being "written off" by the very organizations
designed to prepare them for a productive life. Academy Prep is in the
business of identifying these children, changing lives and interrupting
the cycle that fuels poverty.
It's
unrealistic to expect a middle school student to make tough decisions
about life--working hard in school, going to college, preparing for a
career, being a model citizen--without intensive support and guidance
from a "community" of caring adults.
That's where Academy Prep comes in for our students.
Children whose previous testing and school performance show that they have the ability and the desire to learn are the focus of Academy Prep's program. By providing a safe environment and a rigorous academic program, and driven by high expectations, we encourage them to grow in self-confidence and to expand their horizons.
A Proven Model
The Academy is patterned after Nativity Mission Center on the
Lower East Side of New York City, a school with countless success stories
since 1971. In an area similar to ours, they are seeing over 80% of their
students graduate from high school and 80% of those finish college. This
school and the more than 40 others like it in major cities nationwide
have an affiliation with the Catholic Church or the Jesuits (visit
the Nativity Network online). Academy Prep Centers take a nondenominational
approach, and the faculty is more community-based, and results are dramatic.
Academics at the Heart
Academic
work is the major focus of each day. In addition to full programs in language
arts, social studies, science, math, and foreign language, Academy Prep
emphasizes skills for daily living and dealing with the problems that
are a part of the students' environment: teamwork, responsibility for
the care of their school, and being good citizens.
Thinking Outside the Classroom
A
rich and varied activity program affords the students many experiences
that likely wouldn't otherwise come their way. Sailing classes, attendance
at symphony concerts and theatrical productions, major league sports events,
museums, attractions, job shadowing, and much more are built into the
rich curriculum designed to provide each student with a real life look
at what the future can hold.
Making the Grade
Results
are the measure of success. Since inception, students at Academy Prep
have clearly shown that given the opportunity to work in an environment
that encourages good work, requires discipline and personal commitment,
and gives the rewards and help where needed, they respond with great enthusiasm
and success. The model schools we follow show greater than 85% of graduates
to finishing high school and 80% of those to finishing college. Currently,
95% of our graduates are still in school.
Graduate Support
is a critical element of the Academy Prep experience.
The intensive "immersion" experiences of the 5th through 8th
grade program on the Academy Prep campus is designed to give students
the tools and confidence they will need to succeed in college preparatory
high school programs, college, and beyond. We do not simply prepare our
students and turn them loose to succeed, however.
The Graduate Support Program
The Graduate Support Program (GSP) is a source of academic
assistance , guidance , and peer support and is essential in the early
identification and resolution of problems that could lead a student to
drop out of secondary school. In addition to providing assistance with
studies, the program also trains students to be accountable for their
academic progress. Supervised study space with access to computers, books,
and other resources are made available to students. The program includes
assistance with financial aid forms, SAT prep courses, high school and
college visits. The GSP offers class reunions to build and maintain relationships
among peers and with Academy Prep.
During their time
at Academy Prep, students meet individually, as groups, and with parents,
with the Director of Graduate Support. The role of the director is to
learn the students and their needs and to work to place each student in
the secondary school that best suits the needs of the individual student--and
to help find full-tuition scholarships for graduates.
Some will finish Academy Prep and attend local private schools; others
will attend boarding schools around the country--depending upon the needs
and desires of the student and his or her family. Others choose to move
into the local public school system for high school.
In any case, Academy Prep plans never to lose sight of its graduates--making
regular visits to high schools or homes, receiving regular academic updates,
social reports, offering academic support, providing supplemental coursework
in summers or vacations, linking students with outside tutors, creating
summer job opportunities...
Partial Matriculation List
Below is a list of some of the schools at which Academy Prep students
have matriculated on graduation from Academy Prep:
- Admiral Farragut Academy, St. Petersburg, FL
- The Asheville School, NC
- Berkeley Preparatory School, Tampa, FL
- Boca Ciega High School, St. Petersburg, FL
- Bootstrap Ranch, MT
- The Canterbury School of Florida, St. Petersburg, FL
- Dixie Hollins High School, St. Petersburg, FL
- Gibbs High School, St. Petersburg, FL
- Osceola High School, Seminole, FL
- Pine Crest School, Ft. Lauderdale, FL
- Piney Woods, MS
- Raybun Gap-Nacoochee School, GA
- Shorecrest Preparatory, St. Petersburg, FL
- St. Andrew’s School, DE
- St. Andrew’s School, Boca Raton, FL
- St. Andrew’s School, TN
- St. Petersburg Catholic, St. Petersburg, FL
- Webb School, TN
Graduates - for access to alumni information and support, Click Here
