Crittenton Youth Academy :: Success Stories

success stories


sports & activities
Crittenton Sports Program
The Crittenton Sports Program (CSP) was created in 2002 to provide positive alternatives for students to pursue after school.  Today, competitive basketball and volleyball programs are available to Crittenton Youth Academy students.

Crittenton Youth Academy is one of many Valley charter schools involved in the Charter Athletic Association. This league is designed to provide athletic competition for students in the nontraditional school system.

Crittenton Youth Academy teams have competed in the CAA for the past five years and have earned division championships in boy’s & girl’s basketball and girl’s volleyball. The CSP is also the proud home of Arizona’s 2007 Class B State Champions girl’s volleyball team.

A Sports Success Story: Crittenton Youth Academy’s 2007 Girl’s Volleyball Team
The 2007 girl’s volleyball began with eleven girls and transformed into seven strong and resilient female student athletes. Through their 17–0 season, the girls displayed great sportsmanship, strong comebacks and a passion for winning! The most remarkable comeback came against Teacher Prep high school when the CA team was behind eleven points and came back to win and maintain a perfect record. The four victories in the CAA tournament solidified their season of perfection and proclaimed them as the first team in CSP history to win a state championship.

From Detention Alternative to Determination to Succeed!
Elizabeth came to Crittenton Youth Academy after being admitted to Florence Crittenton’s Residential Program through the State’s Detention Alternative Program (DAP).

She had a life of family conflict that presented several struggles for her, but despite these many challenges she set goals for her self academically and began to succeed.

Elizabeth buckled down and worked ahead academically completing 3 credits (6 semesters worth) of academic courses in her 2 months in attendance at Crittenton Youth Academy! In addition, she joined the volleyball team where she worked hard and was awarded the league VIP.

Marcus is a student who struggles academically and at home. His family has gone through hard times and has had difficulty providing some of the basic necessities of life.

Marcus came to Crittenton Youth Academy as a freshman, he is now a junior. 
He works closely with our Special Education Team and is able to succeed academically. He’s even taken on new challenges as a member of the basketball team, dance team and choir!

Crittenton Youth Academy’s Social Worker has been able to work with various donors and agencies to assist his family with clothes, shoes, hygiene products, food boxes, etc.  Through these efforts a hardworking student has been given an opportunity to grow and learn in a healthier, less stressful environment.

At Crittenton Youth Academy, helping provide for students’ needs is not limited to academics.  Fulfilling the basic necessities for our students ensures that they don’t have to be made fun of for having holes in their shirts; that they don’t have to be cold in the winter or hungry. In satisfying their needs for food and clothing, students are given a chance to better focus on making academic achievements and building brighter futures.

The power to make the right decisions. The commitment to make winning art.
Through Crittenton Youth Academy’s Assistant Principal, Abraham Carrasco learned about an art contest sponsored by Ottawa University. The contest was designed to promote creativity through art as an effective method for youth across the nation to express their dreams and ideas for a successful life and a better community.

Working with trusted staff dedicated to his success, Abraham figured out what he needed to do to participate in the contest and he got down to work. He chose the theme of “Have the POWER to make the right decisions. Stay tobacco free and say “NO” to drugs.”

Within just a few short days, he proudly presented his work to his Student Resource Coordinator, Ms. Beatriz, who helped him celebrate the great job he had done. She also pointed him to his English Teacher, Ms. Mindy, for a little help with the essay portion of the competition.

Once again, Abraham got down to business! He wrote the essay and pulled together the package necessary to enter the contest, which Ms. Beatriz personally mailed for him to ensure it got there on time.

For weeks they heard nothing. Then a letter came from Ottawa University. At long last, the contest results had arrived and showed that Abraham Carrasco’s drawing had won the Gold Medal in the 12th grade category! In addition, Abraham’s achievements and his excellent work representing Crittenton Youth Academy were recognized by the principal and faculty staff. It was a great celebration of art, commitment and student success. Congrats again, Abraham! We’re very proud of you!