The Life Learning Academy graduation.

Life Learning student DeShauna Jones received a 2005 full scholarship to play basketball at Holy Names University.

Life Learning Academy (LLA) has a proven record of success in re-engaging our students and teaching them how to be contributors to a positive community. A three-year independent longitudinal study found LLA to be a “profoundly effective program”. LLA students were significantly less likely to have school attendance problems, to be arrested, to be placed in a detention facility or committed to out of home placement, and were significantly more likely to successfully complete Juvenile Court wardship. In a pre- and post- survey administered as a part of this evaluation, LLA students demonstrated a significant reduction in gang involvement and substance abuse. They achieved a significantly improved orientation toward learning, perceived social supports, general perceived self-efficacy, self-worth, use of nonviolent, non-aggressive conflict resolution skills, use of healthy anger management skills, perceived safety of daily environment, emotional well-being, and family functioning assessment. LLA students also demonstrated an increased orientation toward community service. The vast majority of these youths, who came to the LLA with histories of school failure and disengagement, indicated that they were satisfied or very satisfied with the school, its programmatic elements, and its teachers and staff. Our students built and operate a 1,200 sq. ft. public café and have 1,000 sq. ft. under cultivation in an urban mini farm.

Despite these accolades, our most significant accomplishment has been the graduation of 75 (as of 2006) of our “unreachable” and “unteachable” students, most of whom thought they would never finish high school. LLA maintains a graduation rate over 90 percent. Over 40% of our graduates have continued on to higher education. Other graduates are attending vocational programs, working full time or have enlisted in the military.

We have been very fortunate to receive public acknowledgement of our work. In 2002, LLA was one of three schools statewide to receive a California Department of Education Dissemination Grant, which resulted in over 150 California educators visiting our school to learn about our program and curriculum. In addition we have had visitors from around the United States and other countries including Japan, Australia, England, Israel and Singapore. Replication of the LLA model is occurring in Alaska, Massachusetts, South Carolina and four California counties.

Principal, Dr. Teri Lynch Delane, with graduates and dog Jersey.