Children First Academy inspires the motivation to learn by engaging students as critical thinkers, problem solvers and active citizens; they strive to serve the whole child by providing hope, fostering strength and facilitating self-determination.

100 percent of the students and their families are at the poverty line and 40 percent of the students are homeless. There are approximately 300 students, grades K-8, being educated on its grounds. The school provides stability and hope for kids amid a chaotic world of homelessness and hopelessness; many of the children live in motels,shelters and many live doubled up . Children First Academy works to provide the necessities, care and attention that so many homeless and low socioeconomic children lack.

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Children First Academy recognizes that educating children requires more than a classroom,desk and textbooks. We provide the following for our students and their families

1. Transportation: Our five busses travel over 450 miles a day; changing routes to accommodate the transitional lives of students’ families. This provides a consistent and stable environment for our kids.
2. Food: Once a month, food boxes are given to families.
3. Family service center: As a result of community donations, families receive hygiene kits, clothing, furniture and household items.
4. Social services: A full-time counselor is on staff to work with individuals and groups of students
5. Medical care: Students are provided proper onsite medical and dental care through a partnership with Phoenix Children Hospital and Community Dental. These services include immunizations, health screening and
vision and hearing assessments.

 

 

To learn more about the school or to make a monetary donation, please contact Dina Gerdon at dina.gerdon@edkey.org  or to learn about volunteering contact Pam O'Connor at pam.oconnor@edkey.org