11 Nov 2010
Barack Obama Male Leadership Academy at B.F. Darrell to Open with 6th – 9th Grade
DALLAS—Dallas ISD is extending its efforts to offer gender-specific education with the opening of the Barack Obama Male Leadership Academy at B.F. Darrell. The school is scheduled to open August 2011 in the building that once housed B.F. Darrell Vanguard. Located at 4730 S. Lancaster Rd., the school is being renovated under the 2008 Bond program.
The all male leadership academy will open with students in 6th through 9th grade and will develop the upper school by adding a grade level each year through 12th grade. Some of the unique features of the academy will be a three semester year and a project based learning curriculum with integrated core subjects. Students will be required to attend a Saturday academy, maintain a digital portfolio, have a double blocked math and science schedule in 7th grade with an accelerated curriculum in the 8th grade.
Nakia Douglas, a 14-year veteran in the educational field and former principal at A. Maceo Smith High School, has been tapped to lead the new school as principal and says he is humbled to be at the helm of such an important effort.
"This is a tremendous opportunity to offer a program that will significantly impact the lives of our male students," said Douglas. "I know first-hand some of the issues many of our young men are facing. I know what it's like to be raised by a single parent—my mom was a single parent. I also know what can be accomplished when you present any child with expectations and exposure, the sky is the limit, and that's what we'll do at the all male academy."
For the last two years, a task force headed by Shirley Ison-Newsome, executive director of the Southeast Elementary Learning Community, has researched and reviewed national, state and local best practices related to all male schools. Studies point to clear advantages of single gender-based education.
"This has been a great endeavor," said Ison-Newsome. "We know that gender-based education is highly effective, and we've spent considerable time researching best practices from all-male schools throughout the country, as well as visiting campuses around the country. The Barack Obama Male Leadership Academy will take a holistic approach specific to educating young men and will, no doubt, be a great benefit for our students and the city of Dallas."
In addition to the rigorous curriculum, students attending the leadership academy will choose from a variety of clubs and sports including rowing, lacrosse, golf and physical conditioning. Students will also be required to sign a commitment to success.
Parent/guardian involvement will be a requirement as well with parents signing their own commitment to success, agreeing to sponsor or support at least two school events and engaging in their child's education throughout the school year.
"The excitement surrounding the opening of this school is phenomenal," said Superintendent of Schools Michael Hinojosa. "This is something we've wanted to do for a while. We've experienced the value of single gender education through the Irma Lerma Rangel Young Women's Leadership School which has consistently been one of Dallas ISD's top performing schools since opening in 2004, and we have the same expectations for the all male leadership academy."
Parents and students interested in finding out more about the all male academy can attend the district's Magnet School Fair scheduled for Saturday, December 4, beginning at 8 a.m., at Skyline High School, 7777 Forney Rd.
Applications will be available online starting December 6 and can be submitted through January 14, 2011.
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