Seattle Urban Academy Programs
Our unique school assists students in the following areas:
Academic Courses
SUA offers a four-year academic program that meets graduation requirements. Intervention/Development Plans are prepared for each student, with frequent assessment of student learning and competencies to prepare them for college admission.
Social/Emotional Goals
Individualized Development Plans are prepared to meet social/emotional goals. A full-time Student Development Coordinator is on-site to provide and coordinate interventions and support services.
Health Fitness
A PE Health Fitness program is held four days a week to develop healthy nutrition and exercise routines. Trainers act as mentors and adult role models to students.
Life Skills Classes and Transition to Higher Education and Careers
SUA develops an ongoing "Student Path Plan” with each student. Students set and assess long term and quarterly goals for personal/social, academic, higher education and career growth. They identify personal values, interests and career pathways; research skills required for various occupations; prepare resumes; conduct job searches; and complete job interviews. Workshops enable students to explore a broad range of career and technical training programs, as well as colleges and universities. Staff and volunteers assist the students to obtain internships and employment.
Recent Successes and Current Challenges
A graduate shares her story: “All F’s. When I saw that report card, I knew I couldn’t continue living like school wasn’t important. Seattle Urban Academy allowed me a way to start over. Success through the one-to-one help from teachers showed me all that I am capable of accomplishing. I also remember realizing that if I was going to help others, I needed to push through and do well in school. SUA leads to kids like me making something of ourselves. Now, my plan is to give back and help others through receiving a college education.
”In her commencement address she spoke: “Graduation is a great time to look back on your life to see how far you have come. We have all experienced heartbreaks, pain, sadness, happiness, hopefulness, loneliness, from having those millions of friends to having none – from being a better person than we once were to moments where we just wanted to give up. Michelangelo said, ‘The greater danger for most of us is not that our aim is too high and we miss it, but that it is too low and we hit it.’ We set a high goal, and we have made it!
Everyone here has a story, and that story is meant to be told with the mistakes and flaws, and all. Our testimonies are what have made us into who we are today, and without God, our families, friends, teachers, volunteers, and donors we would not be the blessed people we are today. And life doesn’t stop here; we will go on and continue with our lives in college and beyond.”
We rely on financial support from individual donors, corporations and foundations. SUA is 97% donor supported. Students pay a modest fee of $175 per quarter as an investment toward their education.