Seattle Urban Academy (SUA) is part of a nationwide commitment to deliver relational, rigorous and relevant alternative education. We have been serving at-risk high school students in the Puget Sound region for fourteen years. Teachers and staff members establish student-centered relationships to develop the spiritual, academic and socio-emotional maturity necessary to graduate from high school and successfully transition to higher education and sustained employment.

In FY 2007, new students earned 380% more credit during their first quarter at SUA than they had the previous year at public schools. Seventy percent of SUA students were employed during the summer, and 100% of SUA seniors graduated and continued on to higher education and sustained employment.

Numerous constructive changes also characterized the year.  A new graduation requirement was added: Visual Performing Arts courses, including gospel choir, photography and drawing. In May, we received budget approval to add a full-time science & health teacher to more effectively meet graduation requirements and prepare students for college admission.

Students learned more about college and careers with the help of volunteers and CRISTA employees through comprehensive site visits to the University of Washington, South Seattle Community College and the Duwamish Trade Center; and a CRISTA-wide job shadow day: on March 21, 2007, CRISTA employees enthusiastically provided more than 50 job shadows, and SUA students spent one-on-one time learning about two careers of their choice.

SUA Advocate Joan Hoshino led a mission team to New Orleans June 28—July 4. The group of twelve SUA staff members, friends and students built friendships with Israelite Baptist Church and helped Habitat for Humanity construct two homes. We worked side-by-side with SUA alumni investing in the intellectual, economic, social and spiritual health of this New Orleans community.

In February, SUA launched a brand new website to complement our revised newsletter, which began publication in November, 2006. SUA shares stories of student transformation in eleven newsletter issues per year, including a special graduation issue in July. Additionally, we presented our yearly fundraiser Miracle Event ‘07 at the Fairview Club, with the assistance of CRISTA Donor Relations. The successful event was attended by 130 people and raised $75,000.

"From Christ the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work." Ephesians 4:16