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    In its second year, the Boys Academic Leadership Academy is sparking the interest of families across Los Angeles. Here's why.
     

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    Boys Academic leadership Academy students at a tie-tying ceremony. (Samuel Gilstrap/LAUSD Communications) 

    By Samuel Gilstrap | Feb. 5, 2019

    WEST ATHENS – When the Boys Academic Leadership Academy opened its doors in fall 2017, it enrolled about 85 young men in sixth and seventh grade. Now in its second year, the school has added eighth grade, and the student body has grown to 125. And there are already over 400 families waiting to see if they can enroll their boys in the school next year.

     
    "This is a success story, no doubt about it," said founding principal Donald Moorer. "Our Academy focuses on a growth mindset. The growth of our students, our families, our teachers – the growth of a school, which is offering something new and unique to Los Angeles communities."
     
    The first of its kind in L.A. Unified, the Academy provides a science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) focused learning experience and will eventually serve young men in grades six through twelve. Moorer attributes the rapidly growing interest to a number of factors, chief among them the academic and personal growth that he and others have already observed among the students who attend.
     
    "We applaud our district's efforts to offer a wide range of choices to our families," Moorer said. "It's how you succeed as a school District. You offer educational programs that are well aligned to the unique needs and interest of students."
     
    Since opening the school 16 months ago, Moorer has spent countless hours at churches, community centers, other schools and literally walking door-to-door in nearby communities to spread the message about the kind of program the Academy offers. He credits the recent rollout of the district's Unified Enrollment system with helping to amplify the message, which has led to a spike in applications submitted.
     
    "The type of learning experience and opportunities we provide historically were only available to those who could afford private school," he said. "We're changing that by making this type of education available to all."
     
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    Principal Donald Moorer congratulates Boys Academic Leadership Academy students at a tie-tying ceremony.
    (Samuel Gilstrap/LAUSD Communications)
     
    Modeled after the successful Eagle Academies in New York City, the school conducts activities designed to promote mutual respect, socio-emotional well-being and good citizenship, such as morning "townhall" gatherings when students reflect on what they are grateful for and begin the school day on a positive note. They regularly recite inspirational chants and model their behavior after prominent male leaders throughout history.
     
    Moorer says in addition to the active parent base, including dads who volunteer regularly at the campus, the school benefits from widespread community support. Chief among those is school's board member, Dr. George J. McKenna.
     
    "These young men are here, because we had a dream and a vision for a school just like this," he said. "Now that we've seen what it can really do, we are committed to ensuring this dream will continue for many more students, each of whom is destined to become a leader."
     
    Moorer says it is because Dr. McKenna and others were willing to take a leap of faith that the school has seen success.
     
    "Of course it hasn't been an easy journey, and we still have a lot of work to do," he said. "But, what really matters is that these students have been growing together and are headed for great things. If I could go back and do this all over again, I wouldn't change a single thing."