THE STUDENTS
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Life Learning Academy students. |
Students are referred by probation officers, community-based
programs, themselves, friends and families of current Life Learning Academy students,
and other schools. Prior to enrollment at LLA, these students have
been truant or dropped out of school completely and have a failing
grade point average, most report regular drug or alcohol use, a history of arrest and come from families
that are crime involved. However, the same students who missed
an average of 41 days in their last semester at other schools,
missed an average of only three days in their first term at LLA
and improved their grade point average from 0.9 (“F”) to 2.6 (“C).
LLA’s attendance rate for 2004-2005 was 93%, and 33% of our
student body had perfect attendance.
LLA students come from various high-crime, economically depressed
neighborhoods in San Francisco and the Bay Area. The average racial/ethnic
composition of the student body is 40% African American, 24% Multi-racial,
19% Latino, 7% White, 5% Asian, 3% Pacific Islander, and 2% Filipino.
STUDENT GOVERNANCE
One of Life Learning Academy’s
main goals is to provide students with life skills, including accountability
and responsibility, the ability to trust and be trusted, and
the skills necessary to be a contributing member of their family,
community and society. LLA has a Student Council that holds students
accountable to the rules established for LLA under the supervision
of the Principal and faculty. Students who demonstrate outstanding
leadership and responsibility advance to become members of the
Council, and Council Members actively monitor student conduct,
ensuring a drug free, crime free campus and respectful student
interactions.
Council students also act as mediators and role models in their
classes, teaching classmates the importance of personal accountability.
LLA encourages peer leadership to help new students adjust to its
culture and programming, as well as an emphasis on community service,
both at school and in the outside community.
In addition, interpersonal issues are addressed in interactive
groups that meet regularly and are facilitated by Student Council
members and the Principal. Moreover, each student has an assigned
mentor who spends tutoring, recreational and personal time with
that student.
STAFF
Staff includes credentialed academic and vocational teachers,
one San Francisco Police Lieutenant, one San Francisco Fire Lieutenant,
and adult mentors from Delancey Street Foundation. All teachers
are credentialed in the subject areas they teach.
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Vocational instructor Don Bartlow with students. |
Rather than treat students as passive recipients of learning and
discipline, the staff teaches all students to take responsibility
for the school community by emphasizing group norms and designing
hands-on lessons that require students to cooperate with one another.
Teachers have been selected on numerous occasions to present their
innovative curricular advancements to other interested educators
at seminars and conferences across the country.
The tone of the school is set by the Principal, Teri Lynch Delane. Teri entered Delancey Street in the early 70s as a teenage prostitute, drug addict and school drop-out. At Delancey Street she went on to get her college B.A., 2 Masters Degrees and a Ph.D. in clinical psychology. More than her degrees, however, her commitment to adolescents and to the Delancey Street principles are felt daily by the students by her word and deeds. She role models what the school makes possible for youths. |