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Giving Story: John Brightman

“No matter how intelligent a person may be, you will accomplish more if you have a sense of urgency about getting things done.”
– John Brightman, 1932 – 2017

 

City Academy recently lost one of our “Founding Fathers.” John Brightman led us to our early success. He was an original board member, generous supporter, and a fierce and fearless fundraiser, who always pushed for excellence.

John was also my little league baseball coach. It had been many years since I had seen him, when we ran into each other at a friend’s wedding in 1997. I told him that we were starting a school. John immediately exclaimed, “Great idea! I want to help you raise money.” What start-up nonprofit doesn’t wish for that?

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Donating Your Holiday

NO GIFTS FOR ME!

With the holidays approaching, I’ve been thinking a lot about how blessed I am. And how I really don’t need a thing. (Especially since I have a December birthday, so I’ve just received gifts.)

So I’ve decided to “donate my holiday” to City Academy.

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Transforming Lives: The Thomas Family

For several families in St. Louis, quality and affordable educational opportunities are out of reach. Like all parents, Tamara and Demetrius want the best for their children. After being disappointed in their neighborhood’s school district, they were thrilled to find an innovative school near their home.

At City Academy, the Thomas family has found a supportive community for their three children: Zuri ’12 (MICDS ’18), Zion ’13 (MICDS ’19), and Zain ’22. 

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A Kid For Character

“When given the choice between being right or being kind, choose kind.” – R.J. Palacio, Wonder

Every day, our students start the day by saying our school pledge and singing “A Kid For Character.” This semester, our first grade class created a music video to learn more about the words in the song.

While singing “A Kid For Character” with her class, our first grade teacher, Ms. Jessie Bean, realized that most of the words in the song were very abstract and did not have much meaning for her students. What better way to teach her students the meaning of responsibility, character, fairness, truth, respect, care, and citizen than by creating a music video?

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Groundbreaking Ceremony | September 27, 2017

For Immediate Release

On September 27, 2017, City Academy officially broke ground on the school’s new Early Childhood Center and publicly launched the Campaign for City Academy.

By 2020, City Academy will grow the school’s student population from 185 scholars to 250 students. In order to do so, the Campaign for City Academy will include the addition of an Early Childhood Center, serving children age three through second grade. The school will also renovate the current facility.

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Groundbreaking Ceremony | Alumna Speech

Khadijah Fortenberry ’06
Whitfield School ’12, University of Mississippi ’16

I came to City Academy in 2005, a year after the school moved from Mathews-Dickey Boys’ & Girls’ Club and into its new home across the street. I remember how excited the community was for the new edition. Each time my mother and I would drive pass the school, I bugged her about wanting to attend this new vibrant place that lit up Kingshighway Boulevard. I became so captivated by the idea that I often declared, “I am going to go to City Academy!” Finally, my persistence paid off, and here we are 12 years later.

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Citizen Scientists

Early Childhood Students Release Tagged Monarch Butterflies

Students are learning what it means to be “Citizen Scientists” in our Early Childhood STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and math) classroom. Citizen Scientists assist professional scientists by engaging, exploring, and observing the world around them. For our early childhood scholars, they are assisting as Citizen Scientists by helping monarch butterflies!

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I Will Rise Up

2017 Graduation Speech by Camille Smith ’17 (John Burroughs ’23)

Good evening, my name is Camille Smith.

Everyone has at least one super power, one power that is stronger than the rest. This is the power to “rise up”. By rise up I mean to become a better and a more powerful you than the day before. Throughout my 8 years as a City Academy scholar, I have been encouraged to use this power to discover my true self. Though it took some time to discover all the mysteries that lie within me, my journey has been nothing less than pleasurable. Through the years, I’ve discovered my self-worth and my purpose.

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My Pledge of Allegiance to Me

Each morning, City Academy students gather as a community to pledge to be their best. One class is chosen to lead the pledge as a call and response with the City Academy community. By pledging to be their best in everything they do, City Academy students begin each day knowing the bold expectations our faculty and staff have for them.

My Pledge of Allegiance to Me
by Edna Hanks-Pipes

I can be the best
by doing my best
in everything I do.

And taking pride in who I am,
my faith will see me through.

I must have respect and confidence
if I am to be a healthy body,
a productive mind and a wise human being.

So, I can be my best
by doing the best
in everything I do.

And taking pride in who I am,
my faith will see me through.

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Relationship Culture

Schools with a Relationship Culture say, “You are always my student. You can graduate from my school, but I stay with you. I stay with your family. I will judge my success not by your eighth-grade degree, but by your college degree.”

I see similar commitment at City Academy, where school runs through sixth grade but relationships never end. Nikki Doughty, the school’s Chief Operating Officer, can tell you the journey of just about every graduate. Many come back and work for her summers and school holidays.

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