Northwest Prep Academy

Golden Apple Awards

Congratulations to Mr. Bobby Towns/caseworker at Northwest Prep Academy for being the winner in the Education Support Category "My Favorite Educator Golden Apple Awards."

This event was the kick-off to American Education Week, November 13-19.  The purpose of this activity was to provide students an opportunity to improve their writing skills and give voice to the unique qualities of public school educators.

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Congratulations to Preston King and Mr. Allan Watson from Adolescent Parenting and Jamaica Pryor Burnett and Toria Brown from Ida B. Wells Academy who were finalists in the My Favorite Educator Golden Apple Awards.

Hollywood Success Academy

A Cozy Christmas Reading

On Monday, December 12, 2011, employees from Cummings visited Hollywood Success Academy. Representatives Linda Mosby-Brooks, Wendel Coleman, Clarence Carr, James Wall and Raiford Lomax got students into the holiday spirit by reading the Christmas tale “The New Secrets of Saint Nicholas” authored by Ina Taffet. This Christmas tale helped the students to learn the true meaning of kindness through the Christmas spirit. The tale showed that the spirit of kindness can be given through love, helping others in need, and being nice. Cummings proceeded in showing the children the true meaning of kindness and Christmas spirit through leading by example. The Cummings staff spread Christmas cheer to the students not only by reading, but also giving them gifts. Although candy filled canes were given to the students to warm their hearts, clothing such as hats, pants, shirts, and coats were given to the students to keep them cozy during this winter season. Even students that normally would not have a good day seemed very grateful and refreshed because of the “holiday elves” from Cummings. The students of Hollywood Success Academy were very appreciative to the Cummings staff and left with a new perspective on kindness and the Christmas spirit.

Northwest Prep Academy

The last few weeks have been busy ones at Northwest Prep. In October, Alex Eilers, a Pink Palace educational researcher spoke to the Social Studies students about her upcoming research expedition to Antarctica. The students were able to gain hands on experiences by trying on the cold-weather clothes and touch the research equipment.

The seniors’ journey to Huntsville, AL to visit the Space Institute and to tour Alabama A&M was a huge success.  Students were given a tour of the school and allowed a opportunity to complete applications during the visit.  

The Men of Distinction gathered food baskets to give to the Union Mission for the Thanksgiving season and continued their generosity during Christmas by sponsoring Toys for Tots with MIFA. The Men of Distinction also welcomed a guest speaker, Tony Wade who inspired the men to become better citizens and encourage other people. The men appeared to react positively to his message and encouragement.

The last nine weeks have been busy with testing, senior activities and other extra-curricular activities but a good time has been had by all.

Adolescent Parenting Program

The Grizzlies Poetry Slam here at The Adolescent Parenting Program was a great experience.  Candace Smith, an eleventh grader, did an excellent job despite the fear of speaking in front of crowds.  When she recited her poem, it was amazing!  The strong emotional interpretation, great eye contact, and the words of the poem all made the delivery exceptional!

The school staff, students and Grizzlies Poetry Slam representatives congratulated her on her performance.  She won first place here at the school.  Now, it was time to compete at the district level.  Candace continued to practice her poem and awaited the big competition to come. 

Northside Innovative Academy

Congratulations to Stacey Taylor, Visual Art teacher, on being accepted to Family Dynamics online Gallery!  Ms. Taylor shared her art with The Kiernan Gallery. Juror Henry Horenstein selected 30 images for display in the main gallery in Lexington, Virginia, and another 40 images for display in the online gallery. Henry Horenstein selected Stacey Taylor’s art for the online gallery.

All selected work will be reproduced in an exhibition catalogue available for purchase from Blurb Books.

To view the selected work, please visit Family Dynamics and click #40.  This was a nationwide submission.

2011 Freedom Award Public Forum

Students at Ida B. Wells Academy and Hollywood Success attended the 2011 Freedom Award Public Forum at Temple of Deliverance COGIC. 







MLK Student Transition Center

Faculty Bonding

MLK faculty are more than just coworkers, we are family. This is evident to all who have ever spent any amount of time at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Student Transition Academy. The staff know that we have a good thing going and do not take it for granted. One way the staff stay connected is by participating in monthly outings away from school. This gives the staff to get to know each other on another level and talk about things other than PBIS and RtI. It really helps to build a sense of camaraderie and actually helps us to work better as a team where it counts- with the students.

Last year the men held a barbecue cook-off and a pizza baking competition. The men proved to be pretty good cooks. This year it was the ladies turn.  The ladies prepared what has been called International Dinner Day. The menu consisted of panadas, fried turkey, shrimp & cheese grits, Mexican Corn, quiche, shrimp & rice, chicken quesadillas, and creamy pasta bake. The food was delicious and everyone left full and satisfied. The meal ended with birthday cake and ice cream to celebrate birthdays for the month - another tradition at MLK that helps keep the staff close!

The next celebration was our first annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Breakfast, which will take  place on Friday, January 13, 2012!

MLK Student Transition Center

MLK Seniors Receive scholarships from

Nine students received scholarships from TN Achieves. These scholarships  will be used to assist with tuition and other post-secondary education expenses. MLK Academy wishes to thank the City of Memphis and Shelby County for their efforts in making so many scholarships available to students throughout Shelby County!

Congratulations to our MCS Prep Graduates!

~214 Graduates~

The Memphis City Schools Prep Academies Fall 2011 Graduation Ceremony was held on December 16, 2011, 6 p.m., at the Cannon Center, 255 North Main Street. Two-Hundred Fourteen students received their high school diplomas during the graduation. The MCS Prep Academies are specialized schools that offer an accelerated innovative, rich and engaging program of study specific to the academic and social needs of individual students. Our schools are unique in the fact that they offer students:

*Individual Learning Plans

*No Sequential Grade Structure

*Extended Day/Extended Year

*Accelerated Credit Accumulation

*Integration of Careers and Technology

*Service Learning

*Internships/Externship

Many MCS Prep graduates have post-secondary options, and have been offered full scholarships to four year colleges and universities.