In September, 2011, the doors to the DSBN Academy will open to students in Niagara. At their January 25 regular meeting, Trustees approved the creation of the DSBN Academy, the first school of its kind in Ontario, as a strategy designed to help students overcome the effects of poverty and progress to post-secondary education.
“The creation of the DSBN Academy represents one of the most important milestones in education in the Niagara region,” says Kevin Maves, Chair of the Board. “The social and academic support provided by the Academy will be key to enabling many students to become the first in their families to graduate from a post-secondary institution. The significance of that achievement cannot be overstated.”
The DSBN Academy will be a Grade 6–12 public school that focuses on supporting and empowering students to attend and graduate not just from high school, but also from college or university. Temporarily located in Welland, the school will accept students from across the region that come from low income households.
Supports offered through the school include a single track academic program to prepare students for the rigors of college and university courses, tutoring and mentoring opportunities, breakfast and lunch programs as well as after school programming. Parent engagement will be an important aspect of the school and parents will be involved as volunteers at the school.
“The DSBN Academy will focus on the needs of the whole student,” says Tom Reynolds, DSBN Academy Project Coordinator. “Many students coming from difficult circumstances face a wide-array of complex challenges and supporting these children requires a comprehensive approach,”
“We firmly believe that education is the key for children to break the cycle of poverty and live more enriched and fulfilling lives. The collaboration of our partners is crucial to supporting these students’ success at the post-secondary level. We would like to thank them for their partnership and look forward to strengthening these relationships as this innovative school develops,” says Warren Hoshizaki, DSBN Director of Education.
