School has 10-hour days to keep students focused on reading and learning
By Amber Sutton | asutton@al.com AL.com
Montgomery, AL
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While the majority of students in Alabama spend eight hours at school each day, a new academy in Montgomery has initiated a 10-hour day in hopes of keeping students focused on learning.
Principal Anthony Brock said Valiant Cross Academy is the dream of many hoping to create a school that helps young men learn the skills needed to become educated, productive citizens. In order to do so, the academy keeps its students in class from 7:30 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. each day.
Thirty sixth-graders currently attend the Christian all-boys private school, which opened in August at River City Church in downtown Montgomery. Brock, who has a Master's Degree in Administrative Supervision and more than 16 years education experience, said the school plans to add an additional 30 students and another grade each year until it becomes a sixth through 12th grade academy.
In addition to more time spent on core curriculum subjects, such as math, science and social studies, Brock said the the additional hours at school allow students to take part in developmental programs. During the day, the sixth graders participate in devotions, Bible courses and remedial tutoring in addition to weekly enrichment classes like karate, choir and public speaking.
"We definitely wanted to have more time on task with our students," said Brock. "One of our goals is to be consistently in their lives. We want to level the playing ground by exposing these young men to as much as possible."
In its first year, the school's focus is on academics in hopes of communicating how important education is in the minds of its students. Instead of athletic programs, Brock said they created reading and literacy programs for students to participate in.
"We don't have athletics, and that's on purpose," said Brock. "We are focused on academics first, and then we'll add on athletic programs. Every second of the day when scholars finish their work, they are taught to read. You're taking young boys who probably before did not do a lot of reading, and now it's promoted as the cool thing here." Brock said parents have been receptive to the academy's structure, and that there is already a long waiting list for enrollment next year with five to 10 names being added each week.
While Brock said tuition for each student is around $10,500, this year the school is operating on donations. Valiant Cross Academy is seeking accreditation and to become involved in the Alabama Accountability Act in hopes of helping parents with the cost.
"We felt compelled to start this school for males to address some of the clear challenges that plague our city and our nation," the school's website says. "We believe with love, discipline, and a dedication to high expectations, that all scholars can achieve."
What are your thoughts on 10-hour school days? Let us know in the comments section.
For more information on Valiant Cross Academy, visit their website.