​The Office of African American Academic Acceleration believes that literacy – the ability to read, write and comprehend – is a civil right of every student and is the gateway to a successful academic future, career and livelihood. We recognize literacy is a fundamental building block of learning and academic growth so we ensure it is an integral part of each of our programs for elementary and secondary students.

A4 has been at the forefront of providing literacy programs with proven results to close the academic achievement gap for African American students and create an enviroment where they can reach academic success and their greatest potential during their time at Fresno Unified and beyond.

Below are our current programming targeted at improving experiences and outcomes for African American students. 

Academic Advisor Program 

The A4 Academic Advisor program provides more in depth, consistent and rigorous monitoring of academics for African American middle and high school students who would benefit and excel even more with heightened support. Its purpose is to help students remain on track for a successful high school graudation and post-secondary career. Academic advisors are available at participating middle and high schools.

Academic Center for Suspended Students

The A4 Academic Center for Suspended Students offers academic and goal setting support for African American students who are suspended from school for non-mandatory expulsion offenses. It’s designed to prevent the loss of significant instructional time for African American students caused by the disproportionate suspension and expulsion of this student population and assist in accelerating them to grade level. In addition to core curriculum, the Center has an academic focus on African American history and literature.

African American Males Achievement Course 

The African American Males Achievement Course was established in 2018 at Terronez Middle School as a course to help close the academic gap between African American male students and their peers. The purpose of this course is to advance our students’ ability to handle a rigorous academic career. A4 also piloted a combined boys and girls course in its first year.

African American Student Leadership Academy (AASLA)

The African American Student Leadership Academy identifies college-bound 8th grade African American students throughout Fresno Unified and provides them support and mentorship to ensure they are UC ready upon graduation. UC Merced guarantees our students’ acceptance to the university if they meet UC requirements.

Afterschool Reading

The Afterschool Reading Program is a 10-week long extension of our Summer Literacy Program for K through 4th grade African American students. It allows students to receive one-on-one reading mentorship and support during the academic school year.

Black Student Union (BSU)

A4’s Black Student Union offers campus and community leadership, college/career readiness, student empowerment, and mentorship to foster an enviornment where African American students can proudly exemplify the best of their culture. This club empowers students to be leaders both socially and academically on their campus and beyond. Its mission is to provide a positive and productive representation of the African AmeriThe A4 Summer Reading Program in partnership with Springboard Collaborative is a 4-week literacy program for K through 4th grade African American students. It was established to replace the typical 3-month reading loss during summer months and accelerate our students that are below grade level to proficiency and above. It’s comprised of daily independent reading with a teacher, targeted small group lessons, writing, and family workshops to coach parents and guardians how to teach reading at home. can community on and off each Fresno Unified campus. There are 35 BSU clubs throughout the District: 6 elementary, 17 middle school and 12 high school.

Kemet Council

The A4 Kemet Council serves all African American families and guardians by providing a space to come together, connect, learn, and grow so they can better support their students’ achievement at Fresno Unified and in higher education. Its focused on family engagement. This community gathers through monthly meetings, special events, and more.

Kinder Readiness

A4’s Kinder Readiness Program is a 3-week literacy program designed for pre-K African American students that haven’t had any formal educational experience in preschool or other structured enviornments. It empowers students with the necessary academic and social-emotional skills to enter kindergarten set up for success.

L.E.A.D

The A4 L.E.A.D. Program, which stands for Learn, Excel, Affirm, Develop, is a 3-week summer literacy program designed to strenghten African American middle school students’ reading skills through the discovery of early African history. With an emphasis on building self-efficacy, identity, and leadership, the program also offers a project-based learning experience that integrates teamwork and design thinking to solve real-world problems.

Math Camp

The A4 Math Camp summer program is a 3-week coding boot camp created to support 5th and 6th grade African American students with improving their math skills in a fun, interactive, and hands-on way. Students learn how to code a robot and are taught African American history in S.T.E.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) and beyond through a culturally infused curriculum.

Step Up HBCU

A4’s Step Up HBCU allows African American students to earn college credit while in high school from Benedict College in Columbia, South Carolina, one of the 100+ Historically Black Colleges and Universites (HBCUs) in the US. Fresno Unified is the first district in California to partner with an HBCU for a dual enrollment program of this kind. Students accepted into this program have the opportunity to earn up to 12 free college units through live, virtual classes with Benedict professors.

Student Voice

A4’s Student Voice is a program that gives African American high school students the opportunity to come together in a safe space as thought parnters and create student-led solutions to the challenges they face as black students inside and outside of their educational setting. Connect with our students and learn from them on Instagram @a4_studentvoice.

Summer Reading

The A4 Summer Reading Program in partnership with Springboard Collaborative is a 4-week literacy program for K through 4th grade African American students. It was established to replace the typical 3-month reading loss during summer months and accelerate our students that are below grade level to proficiency and above. It’s comprised of daily independent reading with a teacher, targeted small group lessons, writing, and family workshops to coach parents and guardians how to teach reading at home.

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