Gil Brady, President of Nativity Prep Academy (NPA), was our featured speaker at the January 9, 2020 meeting. Although the Academy formally schools students for Grades 6-8, these are just three years out of an 11 year commitment. The commitment NPA students and their families make is also significant. While students, they spend over 10 hours a day at NPA. This extended time is needed to ensure that the students, all of whom are from socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds, can catch up to grade level.
NPA assures each 5th grade applicant, and their family that, if they honor the contract they make with NPA, their son or daughter will graduate from college. The commitment NPA students and their families make is significant. While students, they spend over 10 hours a day at NPA. This extended time is needed to ensure that the students, all of whom are from socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds, can catch up to grade level.
The Graduate Support Program is a key component of the NPA contract. NPA helps its graduates earn spots at some of the top high schools in the county, supports them through high school and helps them navigate the college application process. The NPA program also requires that parents have an equally strong commitment and helps parents to understand the challenges that their children face and how they can support them in their pursuit of higher education. To date, 99% of NPA graduates earned their high school diploma (c.f. 81% for San Diego County) and over 85% studied at a 2- or 4-year college.
On March 21, 2020 the NPA campus will be the site of an upcoming Rotarians at Word day. We’ll be helping NPA staff and alumni beautify and update their campus.