21st Century Academy

Pathway to College and Career for Northside Youth

100% of youth who participate 2 days a week stay in school, graduate and pursue college!

We work with youth in the community most left behind from opportunities. We meet them in our building, at their home, and in their school. We engage their parents to influence their circumstances at home. We wrap them with love, connection, and a practical, customized approach to shepherd them on a path toward college and life success.

Our Approach

HOLISTIC & PRACTICAL
We meet our youth and their families where they are holistically providing for their basic needs (ie – food, health, clothing, transportation).

HEALING-CENTERED
We provide healing support and interventions through staff who have been there themselves. They connect as role models and engage in ways that are most likely to fit within the lives of our Scholars.

ACADEMIC SUPPORT
Rooted in connection, we provide academic supports including help with homework, school attendance, literacy and math interventions, and future planning for college and career.

Intergenerational caring relationships

We create shared between youth and caring adults to build community, seek to enhance relationships and develop a sense of support.

Results of creating shared experience for scholars and their parents:

increased sense of safety and security in the program
feeling good about participating in the program
recruiting others to participate
having trust in the program and staff.

We engage in radical re-imagining

Radical re-imagining shifts the emphasis away from the individual and encourages the scholars to re-imagine a future collaboratively for every person within the community.

Results of radical re-imagining for scholars:

feeling engaged more engaged and interested in academic topics
increased interest and engagement in topics such as community, justice, equality, leadership and radical ways of being change agents

We believe critical action acknowledges the need for everyone to be involved in creating positive change while recognizing the systemic factors—racism, economic inequality and gun violence—that hamper success.

Results of critical action for scholars:

increased positive attitude toward homework and quality time spent on it.
positive outlook on their futures
increased awareness of their community and world

Our Impact

Through standardized testing, evaluations, surveys, interviews and focus groups, the data supports key findings:

80% of our scholars are hopeful about their future, including continuing their education and engaging in a career that supports them and their families.
95% of our scholars are three to four years behind grade level when they start the program.
65% of scholars progress one or more grade levels each year in the program.

Urban Research and Outreach Engagement Center (UROC)
His Works United
Westminster Presbyterian Church
Valley Community Presbyterian Church
Stillwater Presbyterian Church
St. John’s Episcopal Church
Liberty Community Church, PCUSA
Blue Cross Blue Shield Foundation
Church of the Apostle
Church of the Way
New Life Presbyterian Church
St. Luke’s Presbyterian Church
House of Hope Presbyterian Church
Twin Cities Synod of the Lakes and Prairies
Northside Achievement Zone

Church Members

Supporters