The two-year-old district-approved program now serves nearly 450 students on three Tampa campuses.
June 30, 2016, Camden, New Jersey – Catapult Learning announced the graduation of 36 students from the Hillsborough County School District–approved Catapult Academy program in Tampa, Florida. The graduation ceremony was held on Friday, June 10, at Hillsborough Community College (HCC).
More than 170 family, friends, and community members attended the ceremony, which featured a keynote address by Dr. Kenneth Ray, Jr., HCC’s Vice President for Student Services and Enrollment Management. During his address, Dr. Ray recognized four graduates—Krystal Melendez, Gabriel Dominguez, Angelica Strailey, and Leshaun Whittingham—for their perseverance in earning their diplomas and offered each a $500 scholarship to HCC. Graduating senior Maria Martinez Vazquez was named class valedictorian.
Owned and operated by Catapult Learning, Inc., Catapult Academy serves students ages 16−21 who have struggled to complete their high school education and need an alternative solution to graduate. The program provides a combination of small-group teacher-led instruction, virtual learning, flexible scheduling, college admission guidance, and career coaching. In Hillsborough County, three Tampa campuses enroll more than 400 students.
“We applaud the amazing accomplishment of these young men and women,” said Andrew Post, Superintendent of Schools for Catapult Academy. “Earning a high school diploma is an achievement that opens doors of opportunity that had once seemed unattainable for many of our students. We are excited for the many successes that await them after graduation.”
Over the past two years, Catapult Academy has graduated 450 students; this year, the program is expected to award diplomas to more than 270 students in seven programs throughout Georgia and Florida. With the expansion of the program into Palm Beach County, Florida, beginning in the 2016−2017 school year, the company expects the number of graduates to continue to rise.
About Catapult Learning
Catapult Learning, Inc. has dedicated the past four decades to improving academic performance for all students, especially those at risk, including potential dropouts and those with learning and emotional disabilities. The company’s team of 5,600 educators works to achieve sustained academic gains and build teacher and leadership capacity through research-based programs that include intervention, alternative school education, special education, assessment, school improvement, and professional development solutions. Founded in 1976 and headquartered in Camden, New Jersey, Catapult Learning partners with over 500 school districts, including 18 of the 20 largest districts in the United States.
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