Clovis Municipal Schools – iAcademy
Grants Awarded
On April 10, 2024, the iAcademy will take 94 secondary students and 10 chaperones to Carlsbad Caverns National Park in New Mexico to enhance their understanding of the park's geology, biodiversity, and history. This program aims to foster a deeper appreciation of natural resources among participants and contribute to environmental awareness in the local community.
The proposed non-profit program endeavors to provide multiple skill-appropriate opportunities for community engagement, leveraging existing clubs to offer hands-on experiences in nature. The initiative offers a sustainable source of volunteers and fosters interest in outdoor programs amongst students. Applying for a grant, it will revamp the district’s fishing club, offsetting costs, purchasing kayaks, and arranging safety training with New Mexico Game and Fish. Over eighteen months, participants will partake in a variety of activities, starting with an outdoor bootcamp focusing on local flora, fauna, and safety, followed by exploratory events at local and regional parks where students can practice their outdoor skills. The program will also expose students to practical applications of skilled trades in an outdoor setting by partnering with the district's welding program.
iAcademy is an alternative learning campus under the umbrella of Clovis Municipal Schools in Clovis, New Mexico. The elementary students are 1st through 6th grades. Our secondary is 7th through 12th grades, and our secondary curriculum is Edgenuity. Students are accepted into iAcademy via an interview process with the Dean of iAcademy, Mr. Petie Davis. Our campus is designed to provide a small campus atmosphere for students who are challenged at a large campus for various reasons. Many of the students have social-emotional issues, but they feel free to open up and be themselves at iAcademy due to small class sizes of 15 or fewer. iAcademy also gives students who are serious about education an opportunity to excel in their studies to graduate early; for example, since the beginning of iAcademy, there have been four students who have completed their work early and were able to graduate during their junior year. Three out of four of those students are attending college on scholarships, and one student is attending a trade school for welding while working part-time. The early graduation program is available due to the online Edgenuity curriculum which allows teachers and administrators to monitor the academic progress of students. Our school is located at the Lincoln Jackson campus in Clovis which is a historical landmark in the state of New Mexico. Lincoln Jackson was the first African-American school in New Mexico, and it is rich in history and culture. We are honored to continue that history by serving low-income families from many races and cultures.