Services
The Academy Project (TAP) was born from the principle that keeping school as a point of stability can significantly help foster youths succeed educationally while providing them with the opportunity to form strong relationships with peers and caring adults.
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TAP operates around the regular school schedule, with an extended year-round schedule providing students the opportunity to participate in a variety of enrichment activities outside of class.
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Tuition is fully funded by The Academy Project. There is no cost to attend any program.
What we do
Camp Xavier is a week-long summer day camp located on the campus of Loyola High School Los Angeles. Campers are introduced to a range of activities developed to build trust and community and to help them identify their own specific interests, something that circumstance may not have allowed until now.
The Co-Op, launched during the 2017-2018 school year, is currently located at Mann UCLA Community School in South Los Angeles and is held after school Working with TAP’s partner organizations, like the Harmony Project, we offer enrichment activities such as music appreciation, arts, and filmmaking. On the weekends and during out-of-school time, we offer a diverse selection of excursions such as sailing, surf camp, live music, and theatrical performances.
The Academy Project is honored to be partnering with Bridges for Youth to bring one-on-one virtual tutoring to foster youth all over Los Angeles County.
Participation is targeted to middle school-aged foster youth, currently most at-risk of not completing their high school diploma. Many other programs in Los Angeles take a slightly different approach, targeting foster youth who show the most potential to succeed or providing support to older, transitional-aged youth.
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Selection is based on referrals to the program by Social Workers, Lawyers, In-School Foster Youth Liaisons, Court-Appointed Special Advocates (CASA's), etc. Youth will also be encouraged to self-submit if they are interested in participating.
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Once a youth is a part of The Academy Project, they are always a Member of our community. We refer to our youth as Members to reinforce a sense of stability, security, and inclusivity.
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A Guaranteed Spot
Members will always have a place at TAP, from 6th grade through 12th graduation and beyond. We'll offer transportation solutions to help Members get to and from TAP, and we'll stick with them through any placement or foster care status change.
A Holistic Plan
By taking a holistic view and driving all activities (school, therapy, court appearances, visitation, health care, homelife, new and developing interests) through TAP, our Members are able to navigate the challenges that come from being a foster youth while learning the skills necessary to succeed in school and life.
Mentor Relationships
The Academy Project offers students the opportunity throughout their membership, to build long-term relationships with a consistent group of vetted adults and mentors. We believe these relationships bring stability, emotional support, and confidence to our Members.
Peer Community
Having a close community of peers in similar situations, allows our Members the freedom to be themselves, alleviating the fear, loneliness and stigma of being perceived as different. These meaningful connections empower Members to embrace their narrative and build confidence to plan for successful futures.
Tutoring Services
Along with our partnership with Bridges for Youth we also offer Reading Partners, TAP's reading remediation and mentoring program, that includes a robust curriculum focused on developing core skills first and foremost.
Extra-Curricular Activities
The Academy Project introduces Members to a wide variety of enriching activities. TAP provides access to outings and field trips, giving them the opportunity to discover their true passion through personal development. By providing a supportive safe place to try new things, Members gain confidence and start to hope, dream, and plan for their future.
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