The director of iLEAD Empower Generations recently appeared on SCVi’s “Eye on the Valley” show on KHTS to talk about how the charter school is working to empower pregnant and parenting teens.

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Based in the Antelope Valley, Empower Generations is home to about 50 high school learners who can bring their babies for playtime while they work toward their diploma, according to Director Malaka Donovan.

“When we look at the model of our school, we’re not a traditional seat-based, time-based setting,” Donovan said. “We are flexible with our kids. We meet them where they’re at.”

Related: How Santa Clarita Public And Tuition Free Charter Schools Are Planning For Fall

When asked about the school’s goal for its learners, Donovan responded that it remains the same as the students’ goals before the birth of their babies.

“When they have babies, we look at it as, you still have the same goal, we’re just going to alter your plan,” she explained. “(It’s) not just getting a diploma, but also, what is your path post-graduation? That’s where the word ‘empowerment’ comes from. How are we empowering them to take their next steps successfully?”

Empower Generations not only emphasizes credit recovery, but also personalized projects, service learning projects, internships, career and technology education and more.

“We’re really looking at learning in a way that matters for kids,” Donovan said. “So let’s look at financial literacy, let’s look at civic responsibility, let’s look at engineering and design. Let’s look at things that are fun and cool for our kids.”

One learner did a project on what a pediatric visit looks like for her and her son, studying the medical instruments used, the laws in place to protect pediatric patients and more, according to Donovan. 

“Before, … she just received what they were saying and didn’t really have any questions to ask or was understanding what was going on,” Donovan said. “So she felt more empowered to ask questions when she didn’t understand during the doctor visits.”

Learners are also engaged through passion and personality surveys designed to help them bring their passion to their education.

“What do you love to do? And we’ll help you create a high school education out of it,” Donovan said. “If it’s sports, if it’s makeup, if it’s music — we can make it work… Let’s run with it.” 

Ed. Note: This article is a KHTS Community Spotlight for SCVi/iLEAD Charter School in Santa Clarita.

SCVi/iLEAD is a tuition free charter school in Santa Clarita that uses project-based and social-emotional learning concepts to inspire and motivate lifelong learners with the skills they need to lead in the 21st century. Technology is incorporated into all components of the curriculum, and learners are given a firm grounding in the arts, humanities and sciences. School officials value and encourage development of leadership skills by inspiring character and confidence in learners. SCVi/iLEAD offers transitional kindergarten (TK) through 12th grade, providing a unique learning opportunity for those in need of a kindergarten in Santa Clarita, elementary school in Santa Clarita, jr high in Santa Clarita, middle school in Santa Clarita or high school in Santa Clarita. 

SCVi/iLEAD

28060 Hasley Canyon Rd.
Castaic, CA 91384

Lower School: (661) 705-4820
Upper School: (661) 705-8420

SCVi/iLEAD – Santa Clarita

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yBdfWDWK730&app=desktop

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