Frequently Asked Questions

Is the YLA a school?
No…the YLA is a private educational non-profit organization that partners with 29 public inner city schools.

What are the procedures for enrollment?
For membership in the YLA, boys must be nominated by their elementary school principals. Parents then attend an hour-long orientation where a packet is given explaining parental roles and responsibilities. After parents read the information, they schedule an intake interview with the Executive Director and sign a contract agreeing to respect the organizational rules and regulations.

Who may attend the YLA?
The YLA was chartered to serve young African American males who attend public inner city schools and who live in the inner city of Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

What grade can a youth enter the program?
Boys who enter must be true (non-retained) third, fourth or fifth graders.

What are the criteria to enter?
Prospective members of the YLA must have a 2.5 GPA in the core curriculum subjects (Math, Reading, Language Arts and Spelling). However, children may enter provisionally if they are between a 2.0 and 2.49 with the condition of mandatory enrollment in the after school tutorial M-F from 3:30 p.m. until 5:30 p.m. The YLA is looking for commitment by parents to raise the level of basic skills by that household.

What's so special about the Academy?
We like to think that we create an environment where boys can celebrate their commitment to excellence and be embraced for that pursuit. Too many urban youth are stigmatized by peers for supposedly "acting white" if they are academically proficient or "talking white" if they are articulate. If boys acquiesce to this negative peer pressure, think how they jeopardize their futures. The YLA counters this negative culture with positive peer pressure and encourages them to soar!

Is there an Academy for girls?
While our Academy focuses strictly on young African-American males who reside in the inner city, we are fortunate that someone in Baton Rouge has taken the initiative to replicate our model to create a faith-based leadership development organization for girls. Please e-mail or call us for their information.

Can my son attend the YLA if we live outside of Baton Rouge?
Unfortunately not, currently we exist in Baton Rouge only. The YLA will consider expansion within our region in 2002.

How much does it cost annually per child?
The annual cost per participant is $2000.00. Parents do not pay this amount. Instead corporate sponsors and private donors support the academy.

Do parents pay anything?
Yes…parents must pay for all YLA uniforms, partake in three fundraisers annually, and they pay $6 weekly if they attend the after school tutorial. The parent's organization also has dues that are minimal.

Is this an alternative school program?
No… the YLA was created to complement what inner city schools have and supplement what do not offer. The YLA is a private-public partnership designed to use the resources of the former to assist the latter.

What is the compelling argument behind serving a targeted population?
Please see the about us page

Where is the academy held?
Programmatic components are held during the summers at Louisiana State University and each Saturday morning at Southern University. The new home for the academy will enable the organization to house the After-school Tutorial on site where our administrative offices and technology center will be housed.

Are there other affiliated groups elsewhere in the U.S.?
While we replicated a model (Youth Leadership Academy) in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, there is no affiliation agreement. It is within the vision of the YLA to expand in the ensuing years.

What is the protocol for parents?
Parents must be very involved in the process and continue to support their children and the organization with their time, energy and active participation.

Do you accept donations?
Yes we do. It is how we subsist and continue to grow. This website also has a "how to help" (hyperlink) section that provides many ways to support the YLA financially.

Can I be put on your mailing list?
Yes…. All contributors are automatically put on our mailing list regardless of the size of their gift. If you would like to be added please join our family as a supporter.

Can I get a packet of materials about your organization?
Yes.... To defray the cost of copying, preparing, and mailing the many requests for packets the YLA charges $50.00 for a full organizational packet. We used to do this for free but incurred increasing indirect cost that made this practice too costly.

Can I visit your program? Do you have an “open house” or “come and see” session?
This is handled on a case-by-case basis. Please submit a letter to the Executive Director Tonya G. Robertson to request a visit.

 
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