"Even in the midst of chaos and destruction, one can find peace and salvation."
Those words were used by a senior student to describe his transformation found possible through the ministry of LYDIA Urban Academy-Rockford. His expression, along with all the other students', can be found on the student's mural hanging in the school.
ANNOUNCING:
Regional Accreditation with North Central Association Commision of Accreditation and School Improvement (NCA CASI).
Lydia Urban Academy-Rockford received full accreditation in June 2009 after a two-year process of both internal and external reviews.
The "Best Integration of Best Practices" award was given to the academy by StreetSchool Network at the annual conference in July 2009. The vice president of StreetSchool Network named Lydia Urban Academy-Rockford as the "best school in the nation" when presenting the award.
2010 Graduation Ceremony
Friday, May 28, 2010
"Transforming Lives Through Education and Mentoring"
LYDIA Academy-Rockford is a non-traditional Christian school dedicated to providing students with the opportunity to complete their secondary education. The
purpose is to serve students who have dropped-out, been expelled, or are not succeeding in a traditional public school system.
Our
goal is to help the students move toward self-sufficiency through education and mentoring.
A quality, individualized education is one of the most effective means for transforming their lives.
Mission of LYDIA Academy-Rockford:
LYDIA Academy-Rockford is devoted to addressing the underlying reasons that students are truant, expelled, and suspended. With personal attention, students are experiencing success and regaining hope in their future.
Our program is open to high school students, ages 14 – 19, that are willing to put forth the necessary effort to not only gain their high school diploma but to gain the skills and attributes required to live a successful and productive adult life.
At the Academy we focus on the fundamentals of Academics, Character, and Spiritual Maturity. While academically stressing the three R’s (Reading, ‘Riting and ‘Rithmatic), we also believe in the three R’s of Character (Respect, Responsibility and Resolve) and Spiritual Maturity (Reconciliation, Redemption and Righteousness). We believe that by strengthening student skills in these areas and providing them with practical applications, they will become better prepared for seeking, gaining and maintaining employment. It is both our mission and goal to guide our students to success and personal fulfillment in all of these areas.
ACADEMIC VISION STATEMENT
LYDIA Urban Academy-Rockford is dedicated to the belief that anyone can learn if given personalized guidance and the proper academic environment. It is our mission to train students for successful transition into adulthood by providing them with the opportunity to learn how to: think critically, problem solve, build self-discipline, accept personal responsibility and demonstrate respect for authority, peers and themselves.
Goals:
- To provide a quality, personalized education to as many students as feasible.
- To help students develop strong character and discipline based on clear moral values and Biblical principles.
- To assist students in developing the necessary academic, social, employment and independent living skills necessary for them to become productive adults.
- To prepare students for life after high school by helping them enroll in college or a trade school.
- To help students identify and overcome negative patterns of behavior and thinking that will potentially disrupt future goals.
Unique Features of LYDIA Academy-Rockford:
- Individualize learning experience
- Low student-faculty ratio
- Faith-based learning
- Affordable
- A holistic approach
- Dedicated faculty and staff
- Small environment
- Strong academic requirements that allow for remediation
- An allowance for process
LYDIA Academy-Rockford is a member of the StreetSchool Network.
LYDIA Academy-Rockford is a Candidate for Accreditation through AdvanceEd's Commission on International and Transregional Accreditation (CITA).
ACADEMIC FINANCIAL POLICY
LYDIA Urban Academy-Rockford believes that financial responsibility is a valid part of a student’s education and preparation for the future. We are a nonprofit ministry providing a quality education that enables students to become productive citizens in their community. In order to maintain our standard of excellence we ask students and their families to contribute financially through tuition and Work Study.
Parent's tuition responsibility is calculated based on a sliding fee scale ($600-$1,500 per year) divided into monthly paymenrs. There is a one-time registration fee of $150.
Students contribute another $2,300 to the cost of their education through "work equity" in the Work Study program. Students are required to work eight hours a week for LYDIA's business partners which provides students a means to help pay their portion of their educational cost.
2008-2009 End of Year Report
At enrollment:
- 92% had at least 5 of 18 measured risk factors
- 90% were expelled or chronic truant
- 75% had learning disabilities
- 0.9522 average GPA at enrollment
- 25% on juvenile probation
End of Year:
- 90% attendance rate
- 1.3633 cummulative GPA after one semester
- 2.5 years increase in reading ability
- 1.5 years increase in math ability
- 80% had "satisfactory" job evaluations
Student comments:
"This school is a good place for me to learn."
"I am proud of my progress at this school."
"I have turned my life around."
"I used to think I couldn't go to college, now I know I can."