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CORAL SPRINGS, FL (Jan. 31, 2023) — At-risk students who never felt quite settled in a traditional school setting officially have a place in Coral Springs to call their own. Academic Solutions Academy Charter School (ASA) and Building Hope recently held a ribbon-cutting ceremony at its newly renovated facility to welcome at-risk young adults underserved elsewhere in Broward County.
Building Hope, a non-profit foundation dedicated to creating high-quality K-12 charter school opportunities for students through its expertise in real estate, finance and operational services, managed the build of the facility for ASA, a public charter school and innovative alternative option for high school students.
ASA Principal Andrew Kinlock welcomed members of the Board of Coral Springs City Commissioners, distinguished alumni, and longtime Broward County charter schools advocate Ruth Carter-Lynch to the ribbon-cutting and a first-hand look at the facilities.
“The Academic Solutions Academy team gives students a second chance,” said Meera Patel, ASA’s vice president for business development and academics. “We have a place for them here, a home for the students to be able to continue their education. It’s very exciting for us to be able to make that impact in the community.”
ASA staff provided tours during the open house that followed the ribbon cutting. Parents, members of the general public and guidance counselors from other local schools were part of the audience that got a close-up look at the renovated facility.
“We want everyone to know what we’re about, so they can feel comfortable referring students to us,” Patel says.
ASA acquired the 23,000 square foot building at 10044 NW 31st Street, Coral Springs, (formerly the home of North Broward Preparatory School), in June of 2020. Renovations began after city commissioners approved ASA’s plan and doors are now open to students at a place they can call their own.
“Days like today remind me of the impact one school can have on so many lives,” said Richard Moreno, President of Building Hope Services. “Principal Kinlock and his impressive team are now able to help 500 more students. This truly is a place where tomorrow’s dreams begin today.”
And what a dream it is: ASA’s new home includes laboratories and technical spaces, and a fully operational gymnasium where students will be able to participate in interscholastic sports.
ASA applies real-time data for frequent, consistent assessment that helps prevent students from falling behind. Approximately 250 students ages 15 to 21 benefit from blended instruction that utilizes individualized one-on-one, small group, whole group, and direct instruction. At ASA, students work at their own pace to achieve 80% or better mastery of their objective.
“We make them work-ready, college-ready, and military-ready,” Patel says. “We make them ready to get out there in the real world.”
Patel knows the ribbon-cutting ceremony signals a big change in the life of ASA. “Most non-traditional programs are just a facility where students go in and do their academics and they leave,” she says, “so we’re now able to give them the opportunity to play or engage in technical programs, so when they graduate, they’re going to feel their experience was even more credible.”
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About Building Hope
Building Hope is a national non-profit that empowers advancements in education through our work with charter schools providing unparalleled facility financing, real estate development, and operational services. We believe a facility should never be the barrier preventing a child from attending a great school. During our 20-year history, Building Hope has invested $482 million in high-impact charter schools serving nearly 200,000 children