Our Mission
The Youth Academy Residential School will be a proactive, learner-centered, research-based, outcome -oriented educational and Residential program, built on a foundation focused collectively on respect, restraint, and responsibility. The program is designed to give 100 (at-risk) young men (eventually 200), in grades 6,7,8 (and 6 – 12 eventually) the opportunity to learn about themselves and their community ; acquire knowledge and skills (Florida Standards) necessary for access to meaningful post-secondary opportunities in a highly competitive growing economy ; and provide youth with opportunities and support to build positive lives, enhanced by development of interpersonal skills that include a focus on basic critical thinking and conflict resolution , to enable them to move into contributing roles in society. The program will help youth develop, achieve, and maintain a lifestyle free from substance abuse and crime, through a Residential school environment.
Mission, Guiding Principles and Purpose
We want the program to be implemented in partnership and collaboration with the School Board of Alachua County, Santa Fe College, City of Gainesville, and Career Source of Gainesville, and others.
The climate for Academy will be characterized as caring and/nurturing, providing a safe haven for all students, and consistent with results of research regarding effective and high performing schools (Chickering & Gamson; Shannon). In this regard, the following are conditions that pervade educational environments of effective/high performing educational institutions that have significant positive impact on student learning and success independent of race, ethnicity and socio economic status:
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A Residential Facility for stability
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A Clear and Shared Mission/Vision
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High Standards and Expectations of All Students Within the Context of Clearly Stated Outcomes
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Effective School Leadership
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Student Involvement/Engagement in Learning
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Emphasizes Time on Task
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Curriculum, Innovative Instructional Strategies, and Assessments Aligned with State Standards
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Frequent Monitoring/Assessment of Student Learning and Teaching and Timely Feed-back
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Focused Professional Development
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High Levels of Family and Community Involvement
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All of the above conditions are important and will serve to shape the educational climate and program for the Academy. However, high standards/expectations for all students within the context of clearly stated outcomes; student involvement and engagement in learning; and frequent monitoring and assessment of student learning and teaching with timely feedback, are recognized as the most important in terms of positive impact on student learning and success.
Priority will also be given to transforming students into intentional learners by encouraging each of them to develop an IBP that reflects a desire and commitment to acquire knowledge and skills necessary to complete high school and college and succeed in a career that will provide a sustainable living family wage. This transformation process will be facilitated by results of program experiences that will include the following:
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Inspiring and preparing students to set and pursue life fulfilling career goals.
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Delivering innovative engaging hands-on courses relevant to today's workplace and consistent with Florida Standards.
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Upholding rigorous academic and industry standards; and
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Partnering with community businesses, colleges, and industry leaders for training and mentoring opportunities.