Simon Youth Foundation is a national player in the field of alternative education…and we’ve got a map to prove it!
Our nationwide network of Simon Youth Academies operates in partnership with 80 public school districts that stretch from Seattle, Wash., to Southern California on the West Coast and from Orlando, Fla., to the suburbs of Boston, Mass., on the East Coast.
In all, there are 23 Simon Youth Academies working with more than 3,200 students each year in 13 states.
But our academies are not points on a map, they are life-changing places where at-risk students begin to believe that through education they can go anywhere their dreams lead them. Each school is an investment in the future of the communities it serves, ensuring every member of the next generation has access to education, no matter their personal circumstances.
Alex isn’t a quitter. As a child, he struggled with severe anxiety and depression to the point of getting sick at the sheer thought of having to go to school. Alex knew he had to make a change for himself and find ways to cope with his anxiety.
He began to make friends, focus on his schoolwork, and got a job working on cars when he turned 16. Alex found his passion in cars and began an apprenticeship, working early morning shifts before class even started. Because of this, Alex knew he needed an alternative classroom environment that allowed him to pursue his dream of becoming an automotive technician while earning his high school diploma. Alex attended Simon Youth Academy and successfully juggled his passion for his job and his education. Alex is now a full-time automotive technician working for a large Indianapolis-based dealership.