Action Academy

• Year founded: 2014

• Year closed: 2019

• Location: Santa Clarita, CA

• School Address(es): 20655 Soledad Canyon Road, Unit 24, Santa Clarita, CA, 91351

• Facility:

• Other Names: Santa Clarita Sober School

• School Type: Public - Alternative

• Mission/Purpose & Description: Action Academy described itself as a “free public sober school” for students who are seeking assistance with their recovery. The school was operated by the Action Family Foundation, and the district supplied instructors to work with the largely self-directed course work.  (1)

• Origins: The William S. Hart Union High School District and Action Family Counseling’s non-profit Action Family Foundation teamed to open the school in 2014. (2)

• Reason Closed:

• Student Demographics:  Action Academy was designed for students in grades 7-12 who were at risk of, or recovering from, drug or alcohol addiction. (2)

• Funding:

• Enrollment:

• Staffing: The Academy had a certified teacher who met with the students daily to assure they were earning the proper credits to stay on track for graduation. (2)

• Recovery Model and Philosophy:

• Admission Requirements: Students were not mandated, as the program made its own admission decisions. (1)

• Academic Program. Action used an online curriculum called Apex, which was Common Core-based and met requirements for University of California system admissions. Students moved at their own pace since it was online. The Academy had a certified teacher who met with the students daily to assure they were earning the proper credits to stay on track for graduation. (2)

• Recovery & Therapeutic Services:

• School Hours: Action Academy was open Monday through Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Action Family Zone in Canyon Country. (2)

• After School Programming. After school, the Action Family Zone stayed open another hour, until 4:30 p.m., so students could get counseling, help with homework, or just hang out with peers. (2)

• Key Figures:

SOURCES

(1) Court document. (2016). OAH Case No. 2016030220.

(2) Hart District, Action Open SCV’s First ‘Sober School’. (January 13, 2014).