One of St. Pete’s most impactful non-profits, Academy Prep Center of St. Petersburg is hosting its annual Breakfast for Scholars the morning Thursday, October 27. The celebratory breakfast is hosted in the Grand Ballroom of The Vinoy Renaissance, with coffee and networking beginning at 7:45 am, followed by the program getting underway at 8:30.

Breakfast for Scholars brings together members of the St. Petersburg community to learn how the unique educational program offered at Academy Prep is preparing our region’s next generation of leaders, to celebrate the success of Academy Prep current students, and to honor one of their deserving graduates with the Ben Fisher Alumni Mentoring Award.

This year’s honoree is Bernard Scott, and Breakfast for Scholars will be emceed by Kimberly Jackson, Esq., an Academy Prep Center of St. Petersburg Trustee and Executive Director, The Institute for Strategic Policy Solutions, St. Petersburg College. Tickets, as well as sponsorship opportunities, are available here.

Academy Prep provides quality education to those in need

Academy Prep is a not-for-profit middle school in St. Petersburg that was founded in 1997. It was modeled after the Nativity Miguel Network of Schools, which has helped economically disadvantaged children utilize and value their education. 

In our society, we face a widespread lack of access to quality education in a stable, supportive environment. Students across Tampa Bay deserve to have their dreams of success fostered. Academy Prep aims to inspire and empower students to become future community leaders through a rigorous middle school program coupled with ongoing graduate support. 

Academy Prep achieves this goal in three main ways: by providing an exemplary college prep middle school education, expansive extracurricular and enrichment activities, and a minimum of eight years of one-on-one support for all graduates through high school, college, and into their careers. Since 2005, when the graduate support program was implemented, Academy Prep has seen a 97% on-time high school graduation rate.  

Academy Prep is now serving more students than ever before, and experiencing record-high retention rates. Students are continuing to receive the personalized attention and dynamic learning environment that are hallmarks of an AP education leading to high levels of engagement, consistent attendance, outstanding standardized test results, and positive academic outcomes. 

Equity in education matters in St. Pete

Academy Prep has a dedicated full-time faculty and AmeriCorps teaching fellows who inspire the students to do their best every day in a full schedule consisting of core academic courses, specialty courses such as foreign language and physical education, and engaging enrichment activities. 

Academy Prep offers invaluable resources and a wide range of experiences to its students, including engaging activities such as Basketball Breakdown, Creative Writing, Rap/Beat Making, Nature and Film, STEM/Robotics, Brain Games, Self Care Club, Girls’ Club, Leadership, Comics and Anime Creation, Dance, and Music. 

Students who attend Academy Prep must qualify for the free or reduced-price federal school meals program, setting their income near the U.S. poverty line. This school holds such a special place in the heart of our community. These students are the greatest and we can’t wait to see what the future holds for them. 

Academy Prep’s Breakfast for Scholars is on Thursday, October 27, at 7:45 am. Tickets are available here. If you cannot attend Breakfast for Scholars but would still like to make a gift in support of Academy Prep scholars please visit : bit.ly/GiveAPSP All proceeds will directly benefit the Student Scholarship Fund at Academy Prep.  

I Love the Burg is a proud sponsor of the Breakfast for Scholars.