Youth Advancement Academy

Youth Advancement Academy (YAA) partners with Educational Partnerships Inc to provide at-risk students with an alternate route to a high school diploma through a charter authorized by Kalamazoo Regional Educational Service Agency (Kalamazoo RESA). YAA is a strict discipline charter school that serves students in grades six through 12 who have been expelled from public school or are assigned to the academy by court order. Programs and services focus on preparing students for a smooth transition to a traditional high school setting, post-secondary institution, the workplace or service in the armed forces.

The Youth Advancement Academy offers a “best practices” program for expelled or court-ordered adolescents in these nine school districts: Climax-Scotts Community Schools, Comstock Public Schools, Galesburg-Augusta Community Schools, Gull Lake Community Schools, Kalamazoo Public Schools, Parchment School District, Portage Public Schools, Schoolcraft Community Schools, and Vicksburg Community Schools.

The Academy works with the court system, parents and legal guardians, local law enforcement agencies and area social service agencies to focus on the needs of this unique group of students who are traditionally underserved and overlooked.

YAA meets all state and federal mandates for a strict discipline academy and all curriculum and assessment guidelines of the state of Michigan.

• July 2025 Organizational Board Meeting Minutes
• July 2025 Board Meeting Minutes
• YAA Board Meeting Dates for 2025-2026
• 2025-2026 Approved Calendar
• YAA Open Community Pantry