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Academy of Hope:
A Place that changes Lives
 
The need for adult education in the Washington, DC area is clear:
  • More than 20 percent of the area's adults have not graduated from high school. They have difficulty securing livable wages, caring for their families, and obtaining adequate health care.
  • Nearly 37 percent of our adult population shows the lowest level of literacy-they cannot read a newspaper, complete a job application, or locate an intersection on a map.
  • Children of parents who are unemployed and have not completed high school are
    5     times more likely to drop out of school.
The National Adult Literacy Survey reports a direct correlation between low literacy proficiency and poverty, homelessness, and unemployment. In a tight, skills-driven job market, the Academy of Hope enrolls motivated learners at all levels and helps them improve their lives, their families' lives, and our community.
 
The Academy of Hope was founded in 1985 on a simple idea: to create a school for low income and no income adults in which the main subject for everyone, teachers and students alike was not reading, writing or math, but hope.
 
The Academy now serves over 400 students each year, offering basic education, courses for high school equivalency exams, and computer training. We continue to be a community that nurtures both book learning and life learning; a place where friendships are formed that help bridge the gaps between rich and poor, black and white, educated and uneducated-a place of hope.
Built on a Community
Local residents have invested countless hours taking the Academy to new heights. Each year more than 90 individuals volunteer as teachers or tutors
 
In addition to our volunteer corps, the Academy of Hope has an active board of directors. The board is composed of people from many different professional backgrounds and includes a student who was chosen by her peers to represent them and one graduate.

Executive Director: Lecester Johnson

Board of Directors:

President: Marcus Scott, Metamorphosis Media
Vice-President: Suzanne Stoll, World Intellectual Property Organization
Secretary:Keith Earley, Early Intervenentions, LLC
Treasurer:Ryan Young, Center for Community Change

Ja Ques Anderson, USEEOC
Lauralyn Beattie Lee, Past president,Georgetown University
Patty First,The Raben Group, LLC
Emily Gantz-McKay, President MOSAICA
Stefanie Gerard, Raffa & Associates
Pamela Gilliam, CEO - InfoTek International
Shawn Hausman , American Council of Life Insurers (ACLI)
Robert Kurkjian, Civilian Research & Development Foundation
Kerry Lenahan ,Revolution Health, LLC
David Ottenbreit, Navigant Consulting
Jonah Seiger, Connections Media LLC
Kathryn Stephens Beisel, Past president, Higher Achievement
Bara Vaida, National Journal

Committed to Fiscal Responsibility and Sustainability

Over 88 cents of every dollar directly benefits the Academy's educational programs. Our costs remain low because we utilize a small paid staff, an active 20-member board of directors, and many dedicated volunteers. The total value of volunteer time is estimated to be worth $110,000 annually.

Academy of Hope's fund raising successes have enabled us to continuously improve the quality of our programs, maintain quality facilities, provide ongoing professional development for our teachers and to expand our services to meet the overwhelming demands for adult basic education. We have also been able to help ensure our fiscal sustainability by accruing reserve funds. Our diversified funding base demonstrates support from all sectors of the community.

We are committed to strengthening our existing partnerships and to building new relationships.

Dedicated to Achievement

The Academy's mission is to provide a community of hope and opportunity through high quality education and job skills training to low income and at-risk adults in Washington, DC and to offer students learning opportunities at all levels.

Our mission is achieved through:

  • A high quality, nurturing, individualized, student-centered learning environment;
  • Adult basic education leading to improved literacy, the GED certificate, other high school diploma programs, and computer training;
  • Job readiness preparation that includes computer skills, pre-employment workshops, and resume and interview preparation;
  • Commitment to volunteer focus, maximum access to those who need Academy of Hope the most, student-based outcomes, and the formation of partnerships with organizations that will help to further the Academy's goals.

The Academy Serves

  • At-risk adults with limited income or no income;
  • Under-educated individuals;
  • Individuals who lack the educational skills for employment;
  • Individuals who are seeking educational and economic opportunity and stability

The Academy strives to create a community of lifelong learners who have transformed their educational motivation and accomplishments into a commitment to become responsible employees, active citizens, and engaged parents. In getting and keeping jobs, voting, and becoming involved in their children's education, Academy of Hope students find personal empowerment, enrich the lives of their families, and help to improve the quality of the community of which they are part.

Why are the Academy's services important to our community? The Academy empowers local residents to become more self-sufficient:

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What do A,B,C, & D add up to?

Excellence in Programming

The Academy of Hope offers a variety of programs and services to help adult learners reach their educational goals. All programs are provided through small classes or one-on-one tutoring to ensure that each student receives the individualized attention they need to succeed:

  • Adult Basic Education(ABE): Materials are geared toward students who read between a 4th and 8th grade level. ABE students develop basic skills in reading, writing, and math. Emphasis is placed on acquiring skills that will help them succeed in everyday life.

  • GED Classes: Instruction is provided in all subject areas found on the GED exam: math, science, writing, social studies, and literature. Students in our GED program generally have reading and math skills above the 8th grade.

  • Computer Program: This ongoing program helps students acquire important computer skills. Since many jobs today require some type of computer knowledge, the Academy provides instruction in Windows, Word, Excel, and of course, the Internet.

  • External Diploma Program: This program provides adult learners with an alternative means of receiving a DC high school diploma, giving credit for significant life experiences. While providing greater flexibility since students work with tutors, it maintains rigorous standards, requiring students to take and pass diagnostic tests in reading, writing, and math, and demonstrate mastery in 65 life-skills competencies.

  • Workplace Literacy Project: This collaboration with Literacy Volunteers of America helps expand the Academy's reach by providing basic education and skills enhancement at the workplace.