Kingsman Academy PCS Shows Why Alternative Schools Matter

Kingsman Academy PCS steps up for students who might otherwise be overlooked. Founded in 2015 to address a significant gap in the city's educational landscape, the school provides a vital safety net for learners who may encounter challenges in traditional settings. Alternative schools like Kingsman ensure every student has access to quality education.

Co-founder and executive director Kennesha Kelly compares the role of alternative schools to that of safety net healthcare providers. “In the healthcare industry, there are a lot of people who don't have access to healthcare even though we have great healthcare systems, it’s the same in education where there are a lot of great options and opportunities that just don't fit everybody. I see Kingsman as a safety net provider for education.”

Kingsman, located in Northeast Washington, DC, serves students in grades 6-12 and focuses on three main student populations:

• Students with attendance challenges
• Students who are over-age and under-credited; and, 
• Students with special education needs

Many of these students have faced significant obstacles, including incarceration, homelessness, or behavioral, and academic difficulties.

Kingsman’s approach is innovative and holistic. The school employs a public health model, addressing students’ mental health, safety, and basic needs alongside academics. Students benefit from individualized learning plans, competency-based education, and opportunities for real-world experiences like internships and dual-enrollment college courses. This flexibility allows students to set and achieve personalized goals, rather than being constrained by traditional grade levels.

One success story involves a student with a dream of becoming a pilot. Kingsman tailored his education plan to include academics and flight school, helping him earn his high school diploma and enroll in the University of Maryland’s aviation program with a scholarship. 

Kingsman’s impact extends beyond its walls. Kelly believes Kingsman can serve as a model for other alternative schools as well as traditional schools that adopt similar individualized and evidence-based practices. "If we’re doing our jobs," she says, "families show up, and [students] are successful."

Kingsman exemplifies how alternative schools can transform lives. As demand for such programs grows, Kelly hopes Kingsman can inspire other schools to meet the unique needs of every student.

“Our [students] are amazing. They don't see themselves the way the city sees them. So even if a student has been incarcerated or expelled from another school, often the student is blamed for the behavior but we look at the circumstances and make sure they get the support that they need."

To learn more about Kingsman Academy visit the school’s website.