In SYF’s ongoing mission to celebrate and support the diverse paths our students take to graduation, we are thrilled to share the latest updates from the extraordinary team at Simon Youth Academy at BETA in Orlando, Florida. This Academy is unique in that it serves pregnant and parenting students. Kevia Rucker, Academy Leader at BETA, shared recent updates from their academy.
Capturing Milestones – Senior Pictures and Headshots
BETA has been working to create lasting memories for their graduating seniors. They recently organized a photoshoot at four different sites, capturing each student one last time before they put on their caps and gowns for graduation. These headshots will serve as a lasting memory of this time in their lives and can also be used for future employers. These efforts show the commitment to students and making their senior year special.
Empowering Choices – Academic Boot Camps and School Transfers
As graduation quickly approaches, BETA has held Academic Boot Camps in order to ensure students have all the credits they need to graduate this spring. The team has taken a whatever-it-takes mentality as they support and meet students where they are. While they offer boot camps for those at BETA, they know some scholars choose to return to their home high schools for graduation. They are happy to touch the lives of these students, for whatever time they may spend at the academy.
Building Bonds – Navigating Parenthood While Pursing Education
Pregnant and parenting students continue to face stigma in their traditional high schools. In addition, basic needs are often overlooked. Issues such as not being able to walk quickly up and down stairs during short passing periods or lacking bonding time with their child are mitigated at the Academy. BETA continues its commitment to the school district’s pregnant and parenting population while breaking that stigma of being a teen mother. Many at the academy learn alongside their children as they redefine normal and provide essential mother and child bonding time without giving up their educational endeavors.
District-Wide Impact
This year BETA’s impact has expanded as the district has focused on supporting their pregnant and parenting students. Daycare services are now offered for all students in the district, not just students who attend the academy. This initiative decreases the barriers scholars face finding childcare and empowers students to pursue their academic goals.
Parenting Classes – Males Welcome
We know parenting is a brand-new world not only for our female scholars but also for the fathers of those babies. BETA offers online parenting classes regardless of student gender. Two fathers are currently enrolled in the parenting classes. We celebrate and look forward to the ongoing work of the Academy as they recognize the unique journey of each student.
