Atlanta Youth Academy (2007)
AYA offers a quality,
Christ-centered education to inner-city students, age four through eighth
grade. Class size is limited to 12 students attending an 11 month school
year. AYA is currently located on the property of
Sharing a Laugh: Executive Director Chuck Johnston and Principal Derrick Lockwood
To find out more, watch a short video, sponsor a student or volunteer, visit
Atlanta Youth Academy 2007 Update
Interacting with Atlanta Youth Academy (AYA) students gives proof of the school’s success. It is not long before a newcomer in a crowd of AYA students is approached with a friendly greeting and handshake from one of the children. Plus, AYA Principal Derrick Lockwood himself surfaces as an involved leader, evidenced by his directing of the student inspirational choir that performed during the ground-breaking and blessing of the land for the future home of AYA.
AYA’s staff and leaders have overcome many challenges since founder Larry Teem envisioned the school in 1984, and much of the fruit of consistent faithfulness to the mission was evidenced at the ground-breaking on Tuesday. For example, Jameesa Stokes, valedictorian of the class of 2005 and a current sophomore at Lovett, was present to share appreciation for her AYA education and desire to see the private school thrive with the facilities and resources of a suburban school.
The fund-raising for the school’s construction also displays the commitment of many to the AYA vision. $3.4 million dollars has already been raised towards the “Building on Faith” campaign goal of $4.7 million. Construction is expected to begin in two weeks, to hopefully be completed in the fall. The new campus will begin with three modular units of three to four classrooms and offices each, along with a multi-purpose building for housing the cafeteria, library, and assembly hall.
The AYA campus is a major part of the vision for the land on Constitution Road where 168 new units of affordable housing, Constitution Apartments, have started operating within the last year. The Atlanta Youth Project plans to hold after-school programs and summer camps on the property, as well, providing residents with multiple opportunities for enrichment right outside their doors. There is no doubt that generations of Atlanta families will reach their potential because of the good work happening in this neighborhood in southeast Atlanta. For more information, please see www.atlantayouthacademy.com.