Success Academy Rolls Out New Middle School World History Curriculum
Success Academy – February 4, 2021
Why do so many students seem to think that the world started in 1776 after the founding of America? Our history staff worked hard to reimagine a curriculum that gives scholars a global perspective. Success Academy Rolls Out New Middle School World History Curriculum
Sir Isaac Newton Transforms SA’s Science Symposium
Success Academy – December 7, 2020
When the middle school science team realized that the annual Science Symposium would need to be held remotely, they set to work looking for a solution — and a silver lining.
They Persisted: Our 2020 Graduates!
Success Academy – June 22, 2020
These scholars crossed the graduation finish line after showing us what persistence looks like!
5 Ways To Help Your Child Succeed In Middle School
Success Academy – April 29, 2020
We know the transition from elementary to middle school can be overwhelming, so we talked to staff and parents about their experiences. Here’s some of their advice on setting scholars up for success.
Success Academy Middle School Historians Want to Change Your Mind — And They Just Might!
Success Academy – January 14, 2020
Debates are a regular part of the Success Academy Middle School history curriculum. Throughout the year, Ms. Joseph and other SA history teachers build debates about historical figures and events into their lessons.
Learning About the Past to Empower the Future
Success Academy – July 11, 2019
“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.
SA 8th Graders Are Ready to Take On the Next Big Challenge!
Success Academy – June 26, 2019
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.
Report from the Frontlines: SA Teams Competing Around the Region
Success Academy – February 5, 2019
Success Academy debaters and athletes competed in some major tournaments this January, marking several significant milestones for our programs. We’re excited to share the news about these incredible accomplishments!
What’s So Great About Middle School, Anyway?
Success Academy – January 24, 2019
We asked eighth graders from across our middle schools to tell us about what they loved in middle school. Not surprisingly, many recounted how much they loved their electives and team experiences. We’re excited to share with you the reflections of three eighth graders, from Success Academy Harlem North Central, SA Harlem West, and SA […]
Middle School Families Go Back to School — With Scholars as Their Teachers
Success Academy – January 14, 2019
It might be possible to find a museum or exhibit in New York City that allows you to investigate original scientific research, test out Rube Goldberg machines, or observe historical reenactments all on one visit. It might be possible — but you are more likely to find this kind of learning adventure at your nearest Success Academy middle school.
What Does Determination Look Like? Reflections on a Cross Country Season at Success
Sean Young – December 11, 2018
Cross country is a popular middle school choice, with teams offered at every SA middle school across the network. Many SA scholars have been running since elementary school, and many of them are outstanding athletes across multiple sports. Midtown West Coach Sean Young writes about how neither the pressure of defending the boys’ title, nor the intimidation of being a newly-established girls team, got in the way of his team’s focus, determination, and complete commitment to a try-and-try mindset.
Digging Deep and Thinking Big About Middle School Reading at the Robertson Center
John Snowdy – October 22, 2018
Last week, John Snowdy found himself back in the student’s desk alongside fellow educators from across the country. They were at Success Academy’s Robertson Center, a new center for educator training, to learn more about the network’s approach to teaching middle school reading.
What Does Success in Middle School Look Like? An Eighth Grader Shares
Rabiat Ahmed – October 12, 2018
Have you ever accomplished your greatest dream? Or achieved something so incredible you feel like you’ve conquered the world? If you have, it must feel fantastic knowing you worked through your challenges and ended up with a great ending. But getting to that great ending is like walking on a rocky hiking trail: it’s hard, […]
We Salute Success Academy’s 8th Grade Graduates!
Success Academy – June 15, 2018
Yesterday, Success Academy 8th graders celebrated their graduation from middle school. Speakers from each of the seven graduating classes reflected on their middle school experiences and shared their hopes and ambitions for high school. Here are excerpts from their speeches. Nia Hardaway, SA Harlem Central Middle School June 14th has finally arrived! It seems like […]
Seven Rounds of Strategy and Stamina: Success Academy Scholars Compete in National Junior High Chess Championships
Success Academy – April 16, 2018
Sixteen Success Academy scholars took on some of the nation’s toughest chess competition at the Junior High Championships in Atlanta, Georgia, earlier this month. They tested their skills and stayed focused over seven rounds. Sean O’Hanlon, SA senior manager of chess, noted that our scholars demonstrated high levels of effort and fortitude — even under […]
Success Academy Scholars Earn 1st Place in Four Divisions at New York State Chess Championships
Success Academy – March 13, 2018
During this year’s New York State Chess Championships, spectators likely saw a sea of Success Academy blue and orange: about one in eight competitors at the event was an SA scholar, with 135 participants representing 14 Success Academy schools.
At the Success Academy Basketball Championships, Middle Schoolers Leave it All On the Court
Manuel Colon – March 9, 2018
Congratulations to all our middle schoolers who participated in the SA Network Basketball Championships, and a huge shout-out to the commitment shown by all of our coaches this season!
In Victory and Defeat, Success Academy Debaters Learn Valuable Lessons at Harvard Debate Tournament
Corinne Adams – February 27, 2018
42 middle school scholars and 14 high schoolers from Success Academy competed in the 44th Annual Harvard National Forensics Tournament, where they faced hundreds of top-ranked debaters from around the country in policy debate. The tournament concluded with 36 wins for SA’s 19 middle school teams at the high school tournament. Our high schoolers performed exceptionally well — with SA High School of the Liberal Arts senior Sekou Cisse winning the Lincoln-Douglas division and his peers senior Aida Bathily and sophomore Tajaih Robinson making it to the quarterfinals and earning a trip to the Tournament of Champions in April!
In Elite Math Competition, SA Bronx 2 Middle School Achieves New Milestone
Success Academy – February 13, 2018
A group of scholars from Success Academy Bronx 2 Middle School made history last Tuesday, February 6, when they became the first-ever team from the SA network to qualify for the annual MATHCOUNTS state tournament in Albany.
Success Academy Middle Schoolers Focus on Making Meaning in Photography Club
Joyce Keener – February 6, 2018
Photography is now a particularly accessible art form for anyone with a smartphone. Joyce Keener introduced her scholars at Success Academy Ditmas Park to a more formal approach to photography with a curriculum that emphasizes critical thinking — in true SA style. Take a look at scholar photography talent from across the SA network.
After Early-Season Losses, Success Academy Debaters Finish First in New Jersey Tournament!
Delaney Hellman – January 30, 2018
On Saturday, January 20, Success Academy Harlem North Central won first place in the Advanced Section at a tournament hosted by the Newark Debate Academy. Forty SA scholars from schools throughout the network traveled to Newark, New Jersey, to participate in the debate.
Success Academy Bronx 2 Middle School Brings Learning to Life at Academic Showcase
Success Academy – January 18, 2018
Last month, Success Academy Bronx 2 Middle School families watched their school transform into a museum during an exploration of science and humanities that featured the most attentive and knowledgeable docents in New York City — SA scholars!
Success Academy Youth Chorus Brings Peace, Harmony — and Hot Chocolate to the Stage
Sadie Pincus – December 22, 2017
Last week, the lights dimmed and a hush fell over a large crowd of parents gathered behind me in Success Academy Williamsburg’s auditorium. Fifty middle schoolers from the Success Academy Youth Chorus walked down the aisles and processed to the stage, singing “Seed to Sow,” a song about making an impact on the world, in perfect harmony.
From Outrunning Lava to Building Catapults, Success Academy Scholars Engineer Their Futures
Success Academy – December 21, 2017
During the four-week stretch between Thanksgiving and Winter Recess, science classrooms across Success Academy middle schools are transformed into laboratories, middle school scholars into scientists, and teachers into research directors. The Science Exploratorium, a showcase of self-driven, inquiry-based projects, empowers scholars to put science and engineering into action.