G.I.F.T.4.S.

To provide students and their families with fundamental skills and tools to achieve their personal and professional objectives. The G.I.F.T.4.S. Academy focuses on implementing a 3-week academy to increase the knowledge base for core subjects, health and wellness, and social skills. Each year The Academy will add students until each grade matriculates through high school graduation. This is not just a program for students. It is an education for the entire family. Families commit to parent education classes once a week during the summer program as well as monthly programs throughout the academic year. The classes consist of parenting skills, study skills, bullying, and other relevant topics. The students participate in the academy until high school graduation. Each participant upon graduation from high school will receive either a scholarship for a continuing education program of their choice or start up money towards their choice of career.

Once students enter the program, we continue to work with them through summers and academic calendar continually building their skills, knowledge and confidence. So instead of falling behind, they move forward – and discover the bright future that is right before them. Currently, the academic portion consists of Math, Stemscopes, Social Studies, Language Arts, Writing, and Reading. In addition, the student participate in Health and Wellness (Tennis, Nutrition, and Physical fitness), College and Career, Technology, and Social Skills. During the academic school year parents attend parent education classes while students learn leadership skills once a month. Once a week students attend math tutoring. Overall, the strategy is to maintain a strong connection beyond the school day with parents and students.

To provide participants access to qualified teachers, counselors, coaches, volunteers, and staff. Together, they will achieve a high level of excellence. G.I.F.T.4.S. continuously measures academic achievement of student and family involvement in the school as well as the community. The .I.F.T.4.S. Academy establishes relationships with members of the community to empower our future generations.

Thus far the G.I.F.T.4.S. Academy has grown from 18 students to the anticipated 60 students in 2019 ranging from 3rd through 8th grade. In the beginning the students were offered Reading, Math, Writing, and Stemscopes in the academic area. However, Social Studies and EnglishLanguage Arts were recently added to the curriculum. In addition the G.I.F.T.4.S. Academy is building a stronger English Language Learner Program for students whose first language is not English. The G.I.F.T.4.S. Academy's goal is to increase ESL (English Second Language) certified teachers to teach during the summer. Another area of progress is the alliance of parents participating in the program. Parents formed several committees to support their children and each other throughout the school year. Overall, The G.I.F.T.4.S. Academy continues to improve in all areas to achieve its mission.