MIAMI GARDENS – With the motto “Believe! Succeed! Lead!” the Richard Allen Leadership Academy (RALA) of Miami Gardens is educating boys ages 5 to 11 to secure their futures in the global economy of the 21st Century.
RALA is immersing its 100 Kindergarten through fifth-grade students in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, a curriculum geared to launch its students into vibrant futures and community leadership.
Fully 20 percent of current RALA students are of Caribbean descent.
Well known in the Caribbean community, the single-gender educational approach adopted by RALA—the only all-boys public elementary charter school in the state of Florida—is foundational in the school’s mission to develop exceptional students in the Black community who will go on to be professionals, business owners, leaders and role models.
Currently, Florida is next to last in the graduation rate of Black boys, and Miami-Dade and Broward counties rank lowest in the state in the graduation rate of this portion of the student population.
RALA students are swimming against this tide of sad state statistics, embracing the school’s challenging academic environment, its cutting-edge teaching tools and exposure to business and political leaders in the Miami Gardens area and beyond who have partnered with The Academy. Bringing private-school-quality education—tuition-free—to its community, RALA is equipping young boys to rise above often harsh economic and social realities.
“We have a structured learning environment, small classes and dedicated teachers,” said RALA Executive Director Paul R. Wiggins. “That makes us uniquely qualified to support the success of Black boys in South Florida.”
When Dr. Rudolph Moise visited The Academy, he liked what he saw.
“I was very, very impressed,” Moise said. “I went into all the classrooms. The kids were very, very interested. They were motivated, and they wanted to learn. They seemed like they wanted to grab all the opportunities they could.”
Moise knows first hand about making the most of opportunity. He came to the United States, and initially he didn’t speak English. Today, he’s a family physician and a former candidate for U.S. Congressional District 17.
“When I grew up in Haiti, I went to an all-boys school,” Moise said. “It’s good in that you are taught to be competitive.”
Remembering his school days, Moise described what he sees as a real advantage in single-gender approach: “You have to know how to advance and use your skills to advance. You’re all boys, so you are there to compete. There are no distractions with girls.”
RALA parents are seeing the difference in their sons.
“RALA is very professional and academically challenging,” reported one parent. “My son is more motivated and takes personal responsibility for learning.”
“This school is heaven-sent,” said another parent. “It has held my son to a higher standard. This school shows not only love but believes that each boy can achieve. My son is learning to focus, and he is achieving above grade level.”
Currently in its third academic year, the Richard Allen Leadership Academy is located at 17800 N.W. 25th Avenue. Visit its Web site at www.richardallenla.com or call (305) 623-3174 for 2011-2012 enrollment information before the June 30 deadline.
Students at the Richard Allen Leadership Academy (RALA)sharing a photo opp moment
