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Childrens Academy graduates happily hugging
$ 75,000 grant
2010-11
Detailed architectural plans for a residential charter school for foster youth

This grant funded the creation of detailed architectural plans for a residential charter school for foster youth in grades 7-12. When built on 114 acres of land in Los Alamos, the Academy will enable 120 foster teens to live with foster parents and alongside teachers, foster grandparents and staff, creating permanent relationships with caring adults. The residential and educational programs will provide a challenging academic curriculum within a campus community of stability and a sense of place for foster youth who, through no fault of their own, are often without both. Studies have shown that foster youth are moved numerous times and attend 5-6 schools. Less than 50% of them finish high school and less than 3% attend college. The Academy's goal is to ensure that 100% of their youth graduate from high school, achieve their highest educational goals and form life-long connections to mentoring adults.