BGCCI, DMPS Expand Options Academy to Drake Campus

BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF CENTRAL IOWA LAUNCHES OPTIONS ACADEMY AT GREGORY & SUZIE GLAZER BURT CLUB IN PARTNERSHIP WITH DES MOINES PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Boys and Girls Club facility on the campus of Drake University.

DMPS will expand access to Options Academy at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Iowa location on the campus of Drake University.

Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Iowa (BGCCI) is excited to announce the expansion of Options Academy, a transformative educational program designed for youth aged 17-21, in collaboration with Des Moines Public Schools (DMPS). The program, which aims to support students in earning their high school diplomas while preparing them for future workforce opportunities, will provide an additional location at the Gregory & Suzie Glazer Burt Club on Drake University’s campus.

DMPS will provide dedicated teachers to guide students through a personalized curriculum that allows for self-paced learning and HiSET exam preparation. This unique approach offers a fresh path for students who may feel that traditional schooling is not meeting their needs.

Options Academy is set to serve approximately 60 youth during the 2024-2025 school year.

“We are thrilled to partner with DMPS to create opportunities for young people in our community to complete their education,” says Tony Timm, CEO of BGCCI. “This collaboration will empower these individuals on their journey toward a bright and promising future.”

Program Highlights:

  • Personalized Learning Plans: Each student will receive a customized educational plan tailored to their unique needs and aspirations.
  • Career Coaching: Options Academy offers career coaching and pathways to post-secondary opportunities, helping students to envision their future beyond graduation.
  • Free Resources: Participants will receive a free DART Pass for transportation, as well as complimentary breakfast and lunch.
  • Academic Support: Instruction includes traditional credit recovery methods and competency-based assessments to address core credit gaps.
  • Integration with Home School: Students remain enrolled at their home school, allowing them access to Advanced Placement courses, Central Campus offerings, ROTC, and extracurricular activities.

“Education cannot succeed when it is a one-size-fits-all model. At DMPS, Options Academy has grown and succeeded by providing students with the support and flexibility they need and deserve in order to complete their high school education and prepare for their future,” says Dr. Ian Roberts, superintendent of Des Moines Public Schools. “Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Iowa has been a wonderful partner of DMPS for many years. Allowing us to expand access to the opportunities offered by Options Academy at their Gregory & Suzie Glazer Burt Club on the Drake campus serves our joint missions of helping young people succeed.”

In May, 299 graduates of Options Academy were celebrated at the Class of 2024 commencement. Click here to see photos from that event.

In addition to the Options Academy, students are encouraged to become members of Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Iowa.

Club membership opens the door to a wide array of programs focused on academic success, leadership development, and healthy lifestyles. By joining Club, students gain access to resources that help them navigate their educational journey while also fostering important life skills.