Avenal High School
Avenal High School, Home of the Buccaneers, is implementing the Academic Edge Program! Felipe Meraz has been the principal at AHS for four years.
Since then he has helped create an environment of positive change and building a culture that ultimately reflects teacher accountability and student achievement.
Avenal High school is made up of approximately 550 students.
Coach Terry Earls and Coach Alicia Jones are the teachers that are coaching students to “Live with Purpose!” They are both excited at the opportunity to teach life-skills and focus on meaningful topics that kids can relate to. “Kids are responding”, said Coach Jones after just the first week.
Go Bucs!Support-Inspire-Empower
Sanger High School
Sanger High School, Home of the Apaches, has now adopted the Academic Edge Program as well! Sanger is utilizing the Guidebook to help direct the newly established Mentoring Program.
Sanger High’s principal Dan Chacon has always said, “Do what is best for kids,” and we at the Academic Program feel the same way.
Thanks for believing in us!
Fresno County News
Independent Living Program
The Independent Living Program for Fresno County sponsored the Academic Edge Program during a six-month period. Our program served 6 group homes and approximately 60 students.
The Academic Edge paid fully credentialed teachers to enter into these group homes and coach our program. Here are some of the findings:
- Students who remained in the program a minimum of three months improved their academic GPA by .47.
- Discipline referrals declined.
- Academic Coaches reported meaningful connections were being established due to the content and topics in our program.
- Group Home Managers reported that students were positively responding.
Quality Group Homes
“The Academic Edge is an excellent tool and resource for these kids!”, Greg Johnson, Administrator
“This is good for all of our kids. It is very well organized and easy for the kids to follow! Every kid needs to learn the lessons taught in this program.” Tim Mechem, Administrator
Hope 4 Youth Now
The Academic Edge program helps these kids put things in perspective. Finally, an intervention program that makes a difference and focuses on the things that matter most!”
W. Fletcher, Administrator
Huron Police Department Roldan DeLeon, Huron Police Officer, talked to hundreds of students at Huron Middle School about the lessons that are in the Academic Edge Program.
Officer De Leon’s ultimate message was “Live with a Purpose”. Officer De Leon spoke to 6th, 7th, and 8th graders about the importance of respecting their teachers, having a great attitude every day,
and acknowledging and appreciating the blessings that are in each of our lives that we so often take for granted.
Officer De Leon challenged students to reach for their dreams and change their perspective on their own lives.
He finished by sharing with students some of his own personal life lessons that he thought were important.
- Personal Relationships: Value Them!
- Perseverance: Overcome Obstacles!
- Thankful: Count Your Blessings!
- Courage: Be Brave!
- Be Humble.
Thank you Officer De Leon, for sharing some of the important lessons that the Academic Edge believes are important for building resiliency in young people.
Your commitment is valued and we appreciate you taking the time to share our vision.
Officer Danny Palomo and Officer Reyes Carrillo, both D.A.R.E Officers of local law enforcement agencies, spoke with several students during an interactive gang/drug prevention presentation;
one of the many Academic Edge Program’s interventions. Both officers spoke to the kids about valuing their lives and respecting themselves enough to give them a chance at the future.
Officer Palomo and Carrillo discussed the negative implications of gang involvement and the severe consequences linked drug use, drug handling, and alcohol abuse. The officers brought several former gang members and addicts that have committed their lives to positive change. Each had the opportunity to speak to a room full of students and tell their real-life stories of personal tragedy and triumph over drugs and the gang life-style.
Each speaker was asked to identify the reasons why they made bad choices and explain the difficult financial and personal obstacles they faced.
Each person was also asked to describe how education could have changed their lives as adolescents.
The officers finished by asking the students to take the lessons that the Academic Edge Program teaches and put them to use. They emphasized the importance of believing in them-selves and surrounding themselves with positive people. They encouraged students to seek support, chase their dreams, and change their lives through continued education!
We thank you, Officer Palomo and Officer Carrillo, for your time and commitment to young people. You have and continue to positively influence kids, change their lives, and impact their futures.
Thank you for believing in the Academic Edge!
