Willamette Academy Offers Bridge to Students of Color

Just as many 12 and 13 year olds are handed a recipe for success, others are dealt a recipe for failure. It might include low income, a single-family household, large class sizes, or a lack of confidence.

The Scene · Fall 2002
By Janis Nichols

Reprinted with permission of The Scene.

If you are a junior high student of color and you face these challenges alone, statistics show your chances of going to a top college or university and reaching your potential are minimal.

Willamette University created Willamette Academy for students of color who have academic and leadership potential but who are at risk of "drifting out" at an early age. The Academy offers a leadership and academic bridge to students who might otherwise fall through the cracks.

The 30 local students of color who were selected for this first class were in residence on the Willamette University campus from July 28 to Aug. 9. Following the summer session, the students attend Willamette Academy one weekend a month throughout the school year for four years until they graduate from high school. New students will be brought into the program each year.

With a teacher-to-student ratio of 1-3, academy students received individualized instruction and became proficient in the use of information technology, creating web pages, learning HTML language and designing webzines. Biology and chemistry projects and laser presentations were eye-opening experiences for academy students, who were also drawn to the creative writing assignments that found their way to the webzines designed by the students. Art and photography were also in the mix, with students creating sophisticated works of art.

This year the Willamette Academy included Native American, Latino, Asian, Pacific Islander and African American students, according to Imara Jabari, first year director. Leadership, critical thinking and academic challenge were important elements of the curriculum, as was building a culture of support and achievement.

The Willamette Academy faculty also reflects diversity. Two teachers are from the Salem/Keizer School Districtone retired, one from McNary High School. Also on board are six recent Willamette University graduates; two Willamette students who are sophomores and one Willamette alumna. Half the faculty are people of color and 70 percent are bilingual.

Willamette Academy partners include Nike, Salem Housing Authority, Marion County Commission for Children and Families, Oregon Community Foundation, Oregon State University Extension Service, and Judson, Waldo, Houck, Parrish and Stephens Middle Schools.

Willamette Academy News Archive

Fall 2007— Academy Sends Off Graduates, Welcomes New Director (from The Scene)

Summer 2007— Paving the Way (from The Scene)

July 18, 2006 - June 18, 2007 — A Year in the Life: Willamette Academy (an continuing story by Sarah J. Evans)

Oct. 10, 2005 — Salem family’s dream lost in son’s death (from the Statesman Journal)

Jul. 22, 2005 — Streams get some TLC (from the Statesman Journal)

Nov. 16, 2004 — Willamette Academy Awarded $75,000

Sep. 1, 2004 — College preparatory program wins grant (from the Statesman Journal)

Feb. 20, 2004 — Classified Staff Supports Willamette Academy (from Inside Willamette)

Oct. 15, 2003 — Mini dose of college (from The Collegian)

Sep. 26, 2003 — WU Program Receives $1 Million (from the Statesman Journal)

Fall 2003— Donation Brings a Million Opportunities (from The Scene)

Mar. 23, 2003 — Blueprints for diversity (from the Statesman Journal)

Feb. 17, 2003 — The Monday Profile: Champion of Diversity (from The Oregonian)

Fall 2002 — Willamette Academy Offiers Bridge to Students of Color (from The Scene)

Aug. 10, 2002 — Two-week camp exposes life in higher education (from the Statesman Journal)

Aug. 9, 2002 — University helps kids make grade for future (from The Oregonian)

Jun. 1, 2001 — Willamette Receives Grants to Establish Programs for Ethnically Diverse Students