Visit from Simon Youth Academy CEO Puts Student Successes at Rose Tree Media in Spotlight

VISIT FROM SIMON YOUTH ACADEMY CEO PUTS STUDENT SUCCESSES IN THE SPOTLIGHT

Media, PA… Sometimes, all that is needed to make the difference between graduating from high school empowered to succeed and failing out of high school is the opportunity to push a restart button. For Penncrest High School students who are looking for an alternative to a traditional high school program, that restart button comes in the form of a welcoming and unique educational hub known as the Rose Tree Media Simon Youth Academy (SYA). Nestled in its own small section of the Penncrest High School building, SYA provides students at risk of dropping out of high school an individualized, self-paced program that enables them to meet the graduation requirements needed to receive their high school diplomas. Some students find the program so accommodating to their unique learning needs that they are able to meet graduation creidts early and earn credits through an arrangement with Delaware County Community College.

Earlier this month, SYA’s tight-knit community of 23 students, parents, faculty and returning alumni shared their success stories with Dr. Michael Durnil, President and CEO of SYA, when he paid the school a visit. Their anecdotes were both inspiring and emotional.

For high school senior Lauren Bristow, enrolling in SYA is enabling her to overcome anxiety which was preventing her from doing what she loved – dancing and drama – something she had hoped to pursue professionally. She transferred into SYA in the middle of her junior year and, with the help of SYA’s supportive educators, was able to create an adaptive schedule that enabled her to tackle her work load with less stress and worry. Now, she is excited about applying to colleges to pursue her dream. “Becoming a student in SYA saved me in more ways than I can describe,” she shared. Her mom, Lisa Bristow agreed. “This is a warm and flexible educational environment for kids who may need extra academic and emotional support. It’s a great place to learn.”

For freshman Anthony Miraglia, transitioning from Springton Lake Middle School directly into SYA made a world of difference. “In middle school I had trouble getting my work done; I could not keep up. Here everyone is friendly and they help you plan to succeed,” Miraglia said.

Parents passed boxes of tissues around the room as they shared emotional stories of their children’s pasts with Dr. Durnil. They were stories of truancy, panic attacks and despair. All spoke of the transformational opportunity SYA has given their kids. ”Every day my son is so confident and happy to go to school, and I am so, so proud of him,” said a mother of a SYA student.

According to Dr. Durnil, SYA now runs 29 schools throughout the country, each committed to helping at-risk youth graduate from high school. In partnership with school districts like Rose Tree Media, SYA schools maintain a graduation rate of 90 percent. In Rose Tree Media’s case, graduation rates of 100 percent have been achieved for the past six years. Rose Tree Media’s 2016 graduates were accepted into Drexel, Temple, University of Pittsburgh and many other colleges. One student earned a $31,000 scholarship from Kutztown; another received a $40,000 scholarship from Temple. “At SYA we know that one size does not fit all and the genius is really in the vision,” Dr. Durnil explained to parents. “That is why my role is to make sure the program is sustainable and scalable and then to get out of the way, because the administrators and teachers know what their kids need.”

SYA Principal Christine Seeley appreciates this flexibility and is proud of the unique offerings Rose Tree Media SYA makes available to students in addition to core classes: college and online classes and a new program that will focus on mindfulness. “Students have also enjoyed field trips to a community art center, team-building activities, and their own graduation ceremony,” said Seeley.

While 23 students are currently enrolled in SYA, the Academy can accommodate 40. Since the program is part of the school district, there is no tuition to attend for students living within the Rose Tree Media School District. According to Seeley, parents whose children are struggling in a conventional educational setting owe it to their kids to ask about SYA.

“When we help kids get through their challenges, it is amazing to see who they become,” she says.

For more information on Rose Tree Media Simon Youth Academy, call 610-627-6461.

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