The Academy for Scholastic and Personal Success (SPS) currently offers three programs:
The Academy SPS Summer Program (for High School Students)
The Academy SPS summer program operates for six weeks and is housed at Mount Mercy University.
It is for high school students in grades 9-12 and offers a culturally specific curriculum enriched by seminars, films, and speakers.
This program can be repeated (repetition is encouraged) each summer throughout the student’s high school career.
A highlight of The Academy SPS summer program is traveling to a place where students can see African American culture in positive reflection.
Click here to see past trip photos.
Interested in attending the program or being a speaker/presenter? Click here to complete the application.
SUMMER SCHEDULE
AM Classes
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Monday – Thursday: Math/Science, Literature/History, and Post-Secondary Seminar
Friday: *Seminars, films, and speakers
*Optional for R.I.S.E. students
R.I.S.E. Classes
Tuesday & Thursday: 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
DATES TO REMEMBER:
May 1 – Application Deadline
June 13 – July 22 Summer Session
Thursday, June 9, 6 pm – Parent/Student Orientation
Mt Mercy University, 1330 Elmhurst Dr. NE, Donnelly Hall
Thursday, June 9 – Tuition Due
Monday, June 13 – 1st Day AM Session (Last Day to pay tuition)
Mt Mercy University, 1330 Elmhurst Dr. NE, Basille Hall, 3rd Floor Rooms: 304, 311, 312, 315
Tuesday, June 14 – 1st Day R.I.S.E. Session
Monday, July 4 – No Class
July (Dated to be announced) – Parent/Guardian/Student Conferences (mandatory)
Friday, July 22 – Last Day of Classes
Friday, July 22 – Closing Ceremony, 6pm in Betty Cherry Hall at Mt Mercy University
- Summer 2019 Trip to Memphis, TN
- Summer 2017 Trip to Baltimore & DC
- 2021 Summer Session Virtual Class
African American Awareness Program – AAAP (for Middle School Students)
This program feeds to The Academy SPS when students get to high school. Middle School students, grades 6-8, are recruited to learn about their culture while improving academics. The students in AAAP read and discuss a common text, and travel to the University of Iowa each Spring to discuss the text with a university professional in the Education Department.
AAAP operates throughout the entire school year (October – May) and meets weekly either after school or during lunch. It can be repeated (repetition is encouraged) through 8th grade. AAAP is housed at each of the Middle Schools.
Interested in attending the program or being a speaker/presenter? Click here to complete the application.
Questions? Contact Dr. Ruth White at theacademysps@gmail.com or Eric M. Thompson at aspsdirector@gmail.com
The Academy Expansion
(for Elementary School Students)
The Academy Expansion program operates during the school year (October-May) and teaches elementary school-aged students in grades 3-5, academic and leadership skills, using cultural awareness and knowledge as a base.
The Academy Expansion program is housed at Johnson STEAM Academy. It meets on Mondays after school and can be repeated (repetition is encouraged) through grade 5. Students in The Expansion Program join AAAP when they move to Middle School.
Interested in attending the program or being a speaker/presenter? Click here to complete the application.
Questions? Contact Charrisse Cox at chcox@crschools.us
This is our newest program. It is for adults or anyone in the community who wants to learn about
African American culture. We launched last fall on Zoom and had a great time sharing
information on our culture with a strong, engaged core group!
In this historical moment, our experts can help you answer these questions and more:
“What can I do?”
“Where do I go from here?”
“What is happening in my community?”
“How do I decipher what’s on the news from what’s real?”
We are experts in education, history, and culture.
Our sessions provide a safe place to ask all the questions you’ve been afraid to ask.
No judgment. We welcome newcomers at each session.
