Background
Founded in 1989 and originally named the John S. Laws (JSL) Institute, the Youth Academy (YA) is an experience-based, four-year, after school leadership and college-access program designed to serve talented, low-income, at-risk students from Worcester public schools who are eager to go to college, but who are at risk of not reaching their full potential.

Typically, students fall into one or more of the following groups:
· First generation college
· Multi-lingual
· From non-English speaking homes
· From homes where parents have not graduated from high school, and/or have no formal education in the United States
· Immigrants, socially isolated, poor or otherwise disenfranchised.

After a rigorous application and admissions process, students selected to participate in YA receive four years of intensive services designed to support, motivate, and challenge them to stay in school and prepare for higher education. They participate in internships, community service, individual advising, leadership training, academic enrichment activities (reading, writing, speaking, listening, reasoning and cultural competence), weekly group meetings and workshops and outdoor challenge.

Each YA graduate is eligible to receive a tuition scholarship, based on demonstrated need, from the Colleges of the Worcester Consortium, Inc., including: Anna Maria College, Assumption College, Becker College, Clark University, College of the Holy Cross, Quinsigamond Community College, Worcester Polytechnic Institute and Worcester State College.

Goals
The goals of the Youth Academy are to:

· Identify talented, low income, under-represented, under-served students in the Worcester Public Schools at the 8th Grade level
· Support these students in completing high school
· Help prepare and motivate them for college
· Guarantee them access to higher education
· Cultivate the leadership qualities that equip them for both academic and personal accomplishments

Philosophy
The underlying philosophy of YA is that with hard work, support and most of all, belief in self, students are capable of incredible achievements that exceed expectations and transcend the limits imposed by social and cultural barriers. Because of its focus on individual attention, the Institute purposely limits the number of students it serves each year. Since its inception, the Institute has consistently produced a high level of success.

Eligibility
To qualify for enrollment, applicants must be "at risk" of not achieving their full potential. They must be motivated and intellectually curious, have potential for academic success, be willing to make after-school and summer commitments, and have a desire to attend college. They must also plan to attend one of Worcester's public high schools and be eligible for the free/reduced lunch program.

Participants
YA annually recruits 13 students in the spring of their eighth grade. Guidance counselors, teachers and service providers nominate students from middle schools and local community organizations. Acceptance is based on completed applications, interviews, transcripts, recommendations and level of risk.

A National Model
A survey of program graduates from the classes of 1992 through 2001 demonstrates YA's success and qualifies the program to serve as a national model. Of those who graduated high school between 1992 and 1997, 62% had earned a degree and 14% were still in college. Of those who graduated after 1998, 69% were currently enrolled in college and another 11% had plans to start next semester.

This success rate compares significantly higher than the national averages, particularly when considered in relation to the post-secondary attendance rates of students from lower income family backgrounds and students considered to be "at risk."