Success stories
INCREDIBLE OUTCOMES
Transforming lives through education
At YMCA Academy, we witness awe-inspiring transformations every day. Our students overcome challenges, discover their strengths, and achieve success they never thought possible. Here are just a few stories from parents who’ve seen the difference our personalized approach makes.
Post-secondary education
After graduating from the Academy, the path to post-secondary education looks far more promising. Many of our students go on to pursue additional studies at colleges and universities.
Increased confidence
An education experience at the Academy gives students a better understanding of themselves and their learning styles. Students gain incredible self-confidence, and believe in their ability to become lifelong learners.
Individual attention
During their time at the Academy, students feel heard, understood, and supported in ways they may not have in past educational settings. This teaches them they are people with value, whose ideas deserve to shared.
Life skills
Thanks to our hands-on approach to learning, social-emotional supports, and strong focus on providing real-life experiences, graduates of the Academy are ready for all that life has to offer after high school
Made all the difference
Our son struggled with school due to an unidentified learning disability and undiagnosed anxiety disorder. Achievement was elusive despite IEPs, accommodations, changing programs, changing schools, tutoring, summer school, and guidance counselling. Overwhelmed and unable to keep up, he developed low self-esteem and, ultimately, counterproductive coping strategies.
Once his learning style differences were identified, we were referred to The YMCA Academy. Its small classes, interesting courses, individual attention, technological support, caring environment, emphasis on respect and mindfulness, modern attractive facility, and, most of all, terrific leadership, teachers, and staff, made all the difference! They fostered his individuality, inspired his creativity, showed him how to be productive academically, and just plain let him shine. He is looking forward to exploring everything that post-secondary education has to offer and towards an inspiring and fulfilling career.
More than academic success
A parent shares why social and emotional support was a deciding factor in choosing YMCA Academy, and how those supports have helped their child thrive.
Building self-advocacy for life
Through personalized support and strong partnerships with families, YMCA Academy helps students develop the self-awareness and confidence to speak up for themselves in school and beyond.
Finally started to achieve success
The Academy was THE answer for us. We went through numerous organizations and schools and no one could offer anything even close to what the Academy offers. My child blossomed and finally started to achieve success after enrolling in the Academy. I have been telling anyone who would listen about the great work that the Academy does.
Learning Your Way
Eddie found the support he needed to succeed. Watch Eddie’s Story
Accepted at every college program
After spending her late elementary grades in a special school, our daughter struggled in high school. They just couldn’t or wouldn’t follow her IEP. Her psychologist suggested a few possibilities, including the YMCA Academy. We visited all of them with mixed results, until we visited the YMCA Academy. Our daughter exclaimed that she felt that she could succeed in this environment and she has — she has been accepted at every college program that she applied to. We are very pleased.
The best decision
The Academy has exceeded our expectations. The staff’s genuine concern for each child is obvious and greatly appreciated. The opportunities to be involved in community projects, exchanges, and extracurricular activities further enhance the experience. It was the best decision that we could have made for our daughter’s high school.
Student Story
From struggling to thriving
Struggling from anxiety, Seth started avoiding school entirely. After joining the YMCA Academy, Seth began to find structure and transformed with a sense of community and support.
