More
Than a School
Academy
Prep Center for Education was formed ten years ago with its
first school in south St. Petersburg. The Ybor Center, opened
in 2003, replicates the success of our sister campus and will
celebrate its first graduating class in the spring of 2007.
In the Ybor neighborhood of our Center,
less than fifty percent of the adults have graduated from
high school. Too many young people live in conditions that
expose them to crime, poor health, and strained family situations.
They lack sufficient access to educational opportunities and
to the life opportunities that will help them become successful
adults.
At Academy Prep, we change
these young people's lives by providing an education
that is more than just traditional school. Each student receives
four years of tuition-free, college-preparatory education
in 5th through 8th grades. Students attend up to 11
hours a day, 6 days a week, 11 months each year.
The school provides a demanding academic curriculum and a
multitude of enrichment activities along with emotional support
and social guidance. Students benefit from an additional eight
years of graduate support that guides them continually through
their high school and college careers.
In
less than four years, the Center is seeing remarkable
results. Students often leap from below grade level
when entering 5th grade to academic abilities equivalent to
11th and 12th grade levels even before their 8th grade year!
Our students win chess, karate, and debate competitions; speak
confidently to business professionals; perform Shakespeare
on stage; and attend school at the highest rate for middle
schools in our county.
The Tampa community is extremely supportive
of Academy Prep with over 20 corporate, educational, and non-profit
partnerships. Over 7,000 hours of service time
is given annually to Academy Prep from our families and community
volunteers.
With our first graduating class in spring 2007, we intend
to replicate our sister school's incredible success by keeping
ninety-five percent of Academy Prep's graduates
in high school, college, or careers.
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