Program Overview
The Academy runs two program sessions each year—the School Year Session and our Summer Session.
The Academy’s School-Year Program
Our school-year session is broken into three terms. We encourage students to begin the program at the start of a term.
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Fall Term
September through December
During our first half of the year, The Academy focuses on building our culture and becoming a team. Students work character education and team building activities. Monday through Thursday, students set individual goals, develop good habits for academic success, and how to incorporate those habits into their daily lives. Students also receive individual assistance with academics and homework. After our academic time students are on the basketball court. Students practice drills, learn to work and rely on each other as teammates, along with getting specific feedback and mentoring from Coach Jones.
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Winter Term
January- March (Basketball Season)
Basketball season is a time for The Academy to support and encourage our students with how far they have come in the school year. The Academy during these months focuses on academic support and assistance to ensure all students are reaching their academic and basketball goals. We offer support with homework, reading skills, basketball practice and help, self advocacy, and communication with their school and parents.
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Spring Term
April - May
In April and May, The Academy’s focus is on persistence, growth, and ending strong. These two months are focused on continuous goal setting, persistence, and focus with basketball and academics to end the year in the best way possible. Students will be reflecting on their journey for the year both on and off the court and how they have changed and grown. We end the school year focusing on how hard work always pays off.
The Academy’s Summer Program
8 weeks
The Academy runs an eight-week summer program for incoming 5th graders to rising 9th graders in Waukegan, IL. These eight weeks are filled with engaging and critical thinking lessons and activities and end each week with an exploration field trip. Students learn about themselves, making good choices, hands-on reading and science activities, along with student leader and passion projects. On the court, students focus on all areas of basketball and teamwork. Working together, students will practice strength and conditioning, drills, teamwork, and scrimmages. These eight weeks provide an inviting and fun environment supporting character development and basketball skills.
“The Academy is where I can work hard to improve in basketball and have fun. It has taught me to lock in on what is important and to learn from your mistakes.”
John Lewis Middle School
Our Host School & Program Location
We are proud to work in collaboration with Waukegan Public School district, WPS60. This collaboration has allowed our program to support all five middle schools in Waukegan and build outstanding relationships with their students, staff, principals and families.
John Lewis Middle School has generously been our host and home school since the creation of our program. John Lewis has worked with our program to help provide the space and support we need to accomplish our goals with our students and their families. We thank John Lewis and all of WPS60 for their continued support.
