Jubilee Academic Center Breaks Ground for $20M Campus on South Side
A new academic center designed to teach young children about the importance of creating positive habits and maintaining a healthy lifestyle is set to open this fall on the South Side.
It’s Time Texas CEO and Founder Baker Harrel, District 3 Councilwoman Rebecca Viagran, Texas State Board of Education Representative Marisa Perez and the Jubilee Academic Center joined together on Tuesday morning to celebrate the groundbreaking for the construction of the new Jubilee Academic Center: Athlos Leadership Academy Premier.
As the nation began National School Choice Week, community and education officials stated that the $20 million Athlos campus will promote healthy eating and active lifestyles for kids living in the South Side.
“Today’s groundbreaking is pretty timely as we just kicked off National School Choice Week. When I am out in the community engaging in conversations about the state of education and how San Antonio is a pillar for progressive school of form, I think about the choices our students have today that weren’t necessarily within the public education system in the past,” said Representative Perez. “Athlos is a shining example of what we want for every child in San Antonio, in Texas and in our nation. Education is changing and Athlos is a beacon of hope for education and for many of our families.”
The partnership between Jubilee and Athlos Academics will provide students and parents the opportunity to enroll in a tuition-free school. In combination with Athlos athletic curriculum and nutrition efforts, the program will focus on back-to-basics curriculum, accelerated pace of study and high expectations for both academic achievement and behavior.
“It is an honor and privilege to be here celebrating what the future has to offer. When I look at San Antonio, there is so much happening including diverse needs and groups of individuals. Athlos speaks to those needs that San Antonio wants to have fulfilled, and it’s very important for me to see great successes happening each and every day in public education,” said Perez.
The 7.62-acre site on Goliad Rd. is made possible by the Charter School Fund and will serve students in Kindergarten through 8th grade. In order to achieve those needs, the theoretical standpoint of the academy will focus on character building, in combination with a positive discipline program and parental involvement.
Designed to embrace and represent the “healthy body, prepared mind” philosophy, students will be taught in a unique public school model that prepares children for a competitive future in three essential ways: Academics + Athletics + Character. The school will also provide students with a safe and structured environment for learning.
The 93,854-square-foot campus will feature state-of-the-art labs, classrooms and over 14,000 square feet of athletic space. The athletic space will include an indoor 40-yard turf field, regulation size basketball court, freestyle area and playground.
“I think that if we offer a higher quality of education in the community while addressing health issues and promoting a healthy mind and body, will help our economic development in the future because we will be training the children at a young age,” Councilwoman Viagran told La Prensa. “This will also benefit the health and condition in the city of San Antonio because once it is taught, the good habits will be passed on to their families, grow to the community and neighborhoods. I am looking forward to seeing that, because it is going to be transformative.”
The Athlos Leadership Academy Premier, expected to open in the fall, is currently accepting applications for the 2016-2017 school year. For more information, visit www.AthlosPremier.org or call (210) 333-6227.
