Program areas at SYF
Simon Youth academies are public alternative schools located in Simon property group malls, and stand-alone sites. The academies serve students who are struggling in traditional high school environments, often due to challenging life circumstances such as parenting, homelessness, or illness. By working with local public school districts, syf is able to reach these students before they drop out, and through the academy network, offer students the same educational opportunities they would receive in a traditional high school, but in an environment that meets the needs of at-risk students. With small class sizes, flexible hours, self-paced curriculum, and a family-like atmosphere the academies provide a unique learning environment that has proven to be a successful model. In order to graduate from an academy, students must meet all state and national graduation requirements. When they graduate, academy students earn their diplomas from their referring high schools.
To support continued high academic and program standards, syf hosts an annual best practices conference for syf school district partners and representatives from national organizations that work to improve graduation rates. The best practices conference is held in conjunction with a leading national education conference, providing an opportunity for academy administrators and teachers to take advantage of professional development beyond syf sponsored lectures and sessions.
Simon Youth scholarships are awarded to Simon Youth academy graduates, as well as non-academy students in every community that is home to a Simon property. The awards primarily serve students who will be the first in their families to attend post-secondary education institutions, including 2-year vocational and technical schools and 4-year colleges. A third-party administrator selects recipients and factors in financial need, academic performance, leadership skills, school participation, and community activities.