Transforming Education | NEED Issue 4
a young student studies at the academy. photo | john abernathy
The Miguel Angel Asturias Academy
“The ideas are spreading — it looks like more young projects are able to get support easier because we are so visible.”
Jorge Chojolán started the Miguel Angel Asturias Academy (The Academy) for Guatemalan children in need of an education. Since his story was featured in NEED magazine The Academy has undergone some significant changes.
Steve Mullaney, The Academy’s director of development, explained that since the publication of the academy’s article, the school has received great publicity. Due to increased awareness, The Academy will have its first ever graduating high school class this year, and more students are enrolled than ever before. The waiting list is full for the 2009 school year.
The Academy was also able to start this school year fully funded. Mullaney attributes this achievement to Chojolán’s promotional tour of the US. NEED supplied Chojolán with magazines that he was able to distribute for free wherever he spoke. As a result, Mullaney explained that being able to start the year fully funded “gave [The Academy] more time to focus on our mission.”
Not only is this school encouraging students, but it is also inspiring other educators in the area. The innovative teaching methods that define The Academy are catching on. “The ideas are spreading … it looks more like young projects are able to get support easier because we are so visible” says Mullaney.
>> read The Miguel Angel Asturias Academy feature article
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