The school year is off to a great start in Baton Rouge, Indianapolis and Gary. What started with one high school student earning a full bachelor’s degree while in our high school is now blossoming to many more. Raven Osborne was the first in Indiana history to do it in 2017. This week, Abram Lewis (PNW) and Khaya Njumbe (IUN) started their third years in college on track to earn their bachelor’s degrees by 2024. Sophomores Sahara, Zion, Jalaya and Amaya, all of whom will have their associate degrees this year, have made it a goal of theirs to earn full bachelor’s degrees prior to graduating from our high school in 2025. And while we are just getting started in Baton Rouge with our first senior class due to graduate next year, we have nearly 100 high school students taking college classes at Baton Rouge Community College with as many as five on track to earn full associate degrees next year.
My mind is blown away by the aspirations and accomplishments of our students.
Our model is working. And it is spreading.
What started in Gary, Indiana, now exists in Indianapolis and Baton Rouge. And, what was once only a few high school students taking real college classes and earning college degrees and career certifications, today, we have hundreds in each city.
This is a movement that is on fire. We are blurring the lines between high school and college. And we are enjoying great support from not only our immediate communities but also from our state leaders, too. Louisiana State Superintendent Dr. Cade Brumley recently made a special trip to visit with our students at GEO Next Generation High School Baton Rouge, and Indiana Secretary of Education Dr. Katie Jenner made a special trip to Gary to commend our graduating class of 2022 for all their accomplishments.
We can do more and we have BIG plans to do more. To learn more about GEO Academies, our student success outcomes, or how you can join our efforts, visit https://geoacademies.org/.
Sincerely,
Kevin Teasley
Founder & President
GEO Foundation