Academy of Scholastic Achievement
Fall/Winter 2019/2020
 

A SA Founder Recognized by YCCS for Lifetime Achievement in Education  
 
In the fall of 1978, Gladys Simpson established the Academy of Scholastic Achievement to address what she saw as a need to provide an opportunity for youth who had dropped out of traditional public schools. The objective was to get youth back on track to graduate from high school and go on to college, the military or careers. Last December, Youth Connection Charter School, the charter under which ASA has operated since 1996, recognized the enormous contribution of Mrs. Simpson as well as Myra Sampson, founder of Community Christian Alternative Academy (CCA) also established in 1978.
 
ASA partnered with CCA and other community organizations to form Community Services West (CSW) in 1986 to broaden the social services available to students. In keeping with Mrs. Simpson's original vision for the school, ASA continues to provide supplemental services to students to help them achieve their goals. Since its inception, ASA has graduated an estimated 1,700 youth and looks forward to a future of even more graduates.

    Dual Enrollment Offers Students Credit for High School and College Classes     
 
 
Even before they graduate from high school, seven ASA students are already earning college credit, thanks to the dual enrollment program through City Colleges of Chicago. Currently taking classes at Malcolm X College are (top row, left to right): Dorothy Richardson, Latisha Worlds and Denesha Jones; (bottom row, left to right) Jeriana Tyler, Ariel Williams and Aaliyah Nix. Lazariah Fleming (not pictured) is also a dual enrollment student. Students are taking classes and gaining college credits in biology and child development.  
 
The dual enrollment program is sponsored by Youth Connection Charter Schools (YCCS), offering high school students a jumpstart on earning college credit. The program reduces the time and money students need to spend on college. To participate in the program, students need to be in good standing, have a solid academic record, and demonstrate the responsibility necessary to attend a class outside of ASA. 
 

The Spirit of Christmas at ASA
Always the season for showing appreciation and support, Christmas was also an occasion for staff and community partners to provide support to our students and their families. Every student received practical gifts of warm hats, gloves and scarves. Some were given winter coats by mentoring organizations that partner with ASA. And students with small children were given books and toys for their children. It was all part of ASA's efforts to meet the supplemental needs of students, to support them as much as possible as they pursue their high school diplomas.  
Volume: 9   Issue: 2         
In This Issue
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 State Rep. Ford Visits ASA
Illinois State Representative Lashawn Ford recently talked to ASA students participating in the Re-enrolled Student Program. RSP is a state-funded program that provides supportive services to students to encourage them to stay in school and graduate. Rep. Ford shared with students his challenges as a youth growing up on the West Side of Chicago.   
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Substance Abuse Strategies

Prevention Partnership met with students recently to discuss the realities of drug and alcohol abuse and their impact on American youth. Counselors offered solid strategies to help students navigate the temptations of substance abuse and keep themselves focused on completing high school and going on to college or the workplace.
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Alum Brewer Visits ASA      
   
Donovan Brewer (Class of 07) marveled at the improvements at ASA since he graduated. Brewer is currently working on a degree in electronic engineering technology (EET) at DeVry. The father of two young boys (2 and 3 years old), works on the side as a producer of hip hop music. Acknowledging that he was a bit of a knucklehead in high school, Brewer said he now appreciates the education he gained at ASA. His advice to current students: "The only thing that matters is getting that paper. With that you can go a long way."        
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  ASA Raffle Winners  
 
Staff, parents, friends and supporters of ASA participated in a raffle drawing in November to raise funds for the school. The winners: First place for $1,000 was Patricia Sturdivant; second place for $750 was Edna Smith; and third place for a  55" Smart TV was Otha McCoy. ASA appreciates all of the many ways that our supporters provide the funds we need to continue educating our students.   
 

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 ASA Mission 
To accept students where they are academically, socially, and emotionally by educating, supporting, celebrating and empowering students to achieve a higher quality of life.

   

 ASA Vision  

To cultivate compassionate, self-sustaining, globally-minded, critical thinkers who can compete and succeed in the world economy.

 

    

 

 ASA Core Values

Integrity

Discipline

Compassion

 

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Academy of Scholastic Achievement
4651 W. Madison Street ~ Chicago, IL 60644
p: 773-921-1315 ~ f: 773-854-8397
www.asaschool.org

A Youth Connection Charter School Campus