Over the course of her six-year tenure at SA, Lauren Monroe — currently the School Psychologist Lead at SA Springfield Gardens — has supported thousands of scholars, families, and educators. We asked Lauren to share her responses to the questions she most frequently fields from members of the SA community.

After her summer at Phillips Exeter Academy in New Hampshire, Amanda Sanchez knows what it takes to adapt to a completely new setting. The experience, which she accessed through the SA Summer Experience program, left her feeling confident, with new interests, new friends, and a growing excitement for the independence of college life.

As the highest ranking woman in the New York City Police Department, Joanne Jaffe built a legacy of safeguarding the citizens of New York City — a legacy she now brings to our schools.

For scholars who participated in the SA Summer Experience program, memories of summer linger on, along with newfound confidence and new interests. Scholars accepted into the program have the chance to attend collegiate, artistic, and outdoor leadership opportunities both locally and across the country. Sophomore Alexa Torres is one such scholar; she spent her summer figuring out a faster way to get chores done.

Studies show that this time of year tends to bring on the “teacher blues”— a time when teachers might especially feel the weight of their workload, or even feel a little discouraged. We asked veteran teachers to share how they reboot when the days start getting shorter, and they offered up some valuable tips and tricks.

New teachers, we hope this advice from last year’s “Rookie of the Year” winners encourages and guides you during your first weeks and months in the classroom!

Jamaal Salah knew he had to go the extra mile as a dad at SA Far Rockaway — for his daughter, and for all kids.

Over the summer, Chase had doubled down on honing his talent, earning two full-ride merit scholarships to top debate camps in New York and Texas. He’d returned to school more than ready to prove himself — but he needed someone older and more experienced in Lincoln-Douglas to help him through the most competitive tournaments. As team captain and as a friend, Tajaih wanted to step in.

This year, almost 700 teachers joined the Success Academy network — and they’re ready to make this the best school year yet. We caught up with four new members of our community to hear about what brought them to Success, their passion for education, and their reflections on New Teacher Training. Thanks to all of our teachers who are already making a difference in the lives of their scholars!

SA Upper West scholar Miles loves to think about the world in terms of numbers and mathematical relationships. We had a chance to join Miles in his daily adventures in calculating, reading, and playing, and you can follow along!

Robertson Leadership Fellow Jessica Nelson-Clark led a choice session at New Teacher Training about building strong relationships with parents — from the perspective of a parent!

“Right away, I want kids thinking about the construction of truth, and how history looks different when you change the lens.” Middle school history teacher Jess Johnson reflects on teaching a history curriculum designed to help kids become active, thoughtful citizens.

Wuraola Adetola goes by many different names. Her parents call her “Wuraola.” Her friends call her “Wura.” At Success Academy High School of the Liberal Arts, however, she’s been dubbed the “Afrobeat Queen,” for bringing her love of dancing and an urge to try something new to create the Afrobeats Club.

This spring, Success Academy High School of the Liberal Arts hosted a Meet Your Classmates event, inviting incoming freshmen to explore opportunities at the high school, talk to teachers and current scholars, and get a head-start on making new friends.

On June 21, scholars, staff, and families gathered to celebrate 400 Success Academy eighth graders as they graduated from middle schools across the network. Scholar speakers from each school shared their favorite memories and proudest achievements — and set ambitious goals for high school.

Julia Flete just completed a 14-week dance workshop at NYU Tisch, one of the most competitive dance schools in the country. In addition to her weekly classes after school and her advanced conservatory dance elective during the day, Julia spent every Saturday in the spring practicing with current Tisch college students and some of the country’s most promising high school dancers.

We’re so excited to announce that our very own Harlem North West 8th grader, Amaris Asiedu, won the Third Annual Young Readers Prize!

Thirteen years ago, the first-ever Success Academy kindergartners started out on an educational journey — with college as their destination. On June 6, these scholars walked across the stage of the New School’s John L. Tishman Auditorium to become Success Academy’s second class of graduates.

Amanda Levy loves teaching about the past — while preparing her scholars for their futures. As a ninth grade World History teacher at Success Academy High School of the Liberal Arts, she’s used to discussing everything from Mongols to majors with her scholars.

Among the young women of the Ladies First Club, the most popular future profession is president of the United States, followed closely by a job in fashion. Every Tuesday at 4:00PM, the scholars of the Ladies First Club put on their signature hair bows, personalized with their names, and gather in room 344.

After serving in the military for over 11 years, John Bolsch joined Success Academy in May 2018 as a Business Operations Manager (BOM). We spent the day with John to learn more about what it takes to remain proactive and responsive to the fast-paced nature of school operations.

This week, Success Academy friends and supporters gathered at the 2019 Spring Benefit to celebrate and support the “Joy of Discovery” that drives our approach to science, technology, engineering, and math education (STEM). The Honorable Shirley Ann Jackson, Ph.D., president of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and recipient of the National Medal of Science, delivered the keynote address, touching on her own experience as the first African-American woman to receive a doctorate from MIT — in any field.

Earlier this month, SA Bronx 3 hosted an Autism Awareness Day to celebrate differences and teach about inclusion.

Track coach and teacher Ozzie Henderson is taking Success Academy’s track program to the next level, as this year’s indoor season and championship meet made clear.