Mission

The Cross Cultural Environmental Leadership (XCEL) Academy is a new high school opening in San Francisco in September, 2003. Its mission is to support high academic achievement and equity by fostering environmental literacy and leadership among culturally diverse youth. XCEL Academy offers high school students opportunities to examine connections between natural science, urban ecology, environmental justice and cultural diversity. The school's goal is to prepare culturally diverse young people to become life-long learners and critical thinkers who are leaders for sustainability and environmental justice.

Issues

Energy, Air Pollution, Renewable Resources, Water Pollution, Wildlife, Pesticides, Recycling, Urban Development, Wetlands/Endangered Species, Community organizing, Gardening, Sustainable Communities, Parks and Recreation, Environmental Racism, Urban Habitat, Urban Planning, Food Security

Activities

Education (school program), Community Outreach, Leadership Development, Solidarity, Communication/Networking

Programs/
Projects

XCEL Academy will engage historically under-served students in a rigorous education, steeped in methods promoting full participation and critical thinking. In collaboration with environmental and community based organizations, as well as the business community, the school's academic program will be organized around an environmental and social justice curriculum relevant and applicable to students' lives. XCEL Academy strives to advance students whose academic achievements meet UC eligibility standards, thereby, increasing the number of ethnically diverse and low-income students entering institutions of higher education. By doing so, the school will create pathways for students to enter the environmental field, and ultimately increase diversity among the leadership of the environmental movement.

Constitutency

Enrolled students (9th-12th graders) and their parents/guardians.

Geographical Focus

San Francisco

Staff

2 (school planners)

Volunteers

7

Publications

Newsletter once or twice annually

Annuual Budget

$100,000 - $500,000 (planning budget)

Year Founded

XCEL Afterschool Program founded in 1995; XCEL Academy projected to open in 2003