NYC Outward Bound's Validus Preparatory Academy Receives $125,000 in Public-Private Support from Bronx Borough President Diaz and Verizon

NEW YORK, NY, December 27, 2010 (Press-News.org) A $100,000 capital grant from Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. and a $25,000 grant from The Verizon Foundation are helping give teachers and students at NYC Outward Bound's (www.nycoutwardbound.org) Validus Preparatory Academy (www.validusprep.org) the tools they need to continue to achieve graduation and college acceptance rates well above New York City's average.

The Borough President's capital grant, awarded in June affords the school the purchasing power to provide, and keep current, its in-classroom technology, like laptops and smart boards. And the Verizon grant, received earlier this year, has supported both professional development for Validus teachers and its annual "crew orientation"--a week in the wilderness that is a signature element of the school's Expeditionary Learning school model.

"We recognize the importance of supplying our borough's students, many of whom are from the area's poorest, most underserved neighborhoods, with the kind of equipment that will allow them to engage in all their subjects and excel at learning. At Validus, which has a graduation rate of 85 percent last year, sending 83 percent of those graduates to college, we see these contributions working," Diaz said.

April Horton, Verizon's Director for External and Government Affairs in the Bronx, said, "Verizon is part of the Bronx community. Our support of programs like the Expeditionary Learning curriculum at Validus Prep help our children excel in school and in life. We've seen how this innovative approach to education prepares students to succeed in the 'new economy', which in turn builds and strengthens the communities where we live and work."

Launched by NYC Outward Bound five years ago in partnership with the NYC Department of Education, Validus is one of two Expeditionary Learning (EL) schools in the Bronx and one of ten EL schools in the NYC Outward Bound network of public schools throughout the five boroughs.

According to school Principal Brady Smith, "These grants allow us to continue to offer the many important programs that ensure all of our students have great teachers who will help them achieve great results and prepare for 21st century careers." With the Expeditionary Learning model, he said, students use the City as their classroom, most recently, immersing themselves in a study of the NYC subway system--how it was designed, makes money, and transports millions of people around the City. Applying algebra, statistics and geometry skills coupled with fieldwork to explore the system these tenth graders created a supplemental train line. The course will culminate with a student-led presentation to MTA decision-makers.

"With great learning like this going on every day in our school, we know that we certainly are NOT waiting for Superman," he said, alluding to a recent communications campaign launched by the NYC Outward Bound school network in response to the controversial education documentary. "But we also know that grants like Borough President Diaz's and Verizon's are key to continuing our good work, particularly during difficult economic times."

About New York City Outward Bound: Now in its third decade in the City, New York City Outward Bound is an independent non-profit organization that brings the educational philosophy and expertise of Outward Bound to New York City's public schools. Since 1987, NYC Outward Bound has served more than 50,000 students and educators from more than 250 public schools. For most participants, involvement with NYC Outward Bound has resulted in profound learning and for many it has been transformational, helping them to recognize how much they are capable of accomplishing individually and collectively.

In 2004, while continuing to provide customized teambuilding and leadership programs for schools throughout the City, the organization undertook its most ambitious venture-- to build and operate a network of small schools, in partnership with the City's Department of Education, incorporating the Expeditionary Learning school model which has its roots in Outward Bound's educational principles and practices. These schools provide demanding academics, real-world learning, 21st-century skill-building, character development and the support of a caring peer and adult community to foster high levels of student achievement.

With initial help from grants from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, New York City Outward Bound's schools are: Brooklyn School for Collaborative Studies, Bronx Expeditionary Learning High School, Expeditionary Learning School for Community Leaders, The James Baldwin Academy, Kurt Hahn Expeditionary Learning School, Marsh Avenue Expeditionary Learning School, McCown Expeditionary Learning School, The Validus Preparatory Academy and Washington Heights Expeditionary Learning School. In September the organization opened its 10th school--Metropolitan Expeditionary Learning School--in Queens, making it the first NYC Department of Education partner to have opened schools in all five boroughs. There are currently more than 160 Expeditionary Learning schools in the country. For further information, visit our website, www.nycoutwardbound.org.