In April, Arlington Classics Academy was honored in Austin at the 40th Annual Governor’s Volunteer Awards by the Onestar Foundation. The ceremony was held at the governor’s mansion, and ACA took home the award in the category of “education champion.”After 41 years as an educator, she called it a day.
This award recognizes those who go above and beyond to develop the next generation of civic-minded, socially engaged volunteers and the institution must integrate service and volunteerism as a key component of its school curriculum. The volunteer work must have made a positive impact on the community, and it must have been measurable.
Arlington Classics Academy earned the award because of its longstanding Griffin Goodfellow program. In partnership with parents, students are encouraged to volunteer and serve throughout their communities in multiple ways each year. The parents and the school announce opportunities throughout the year through social media and school messaging apps with the idea that serving practically teaches them about responsibilities to each other, their community, and their country.
“No one is an island,” said Craig Sims, ACA’s Executive Director of Schools. “How I take responsibility for my own actions or my own life, has a residual effect on those around me. Students learn to understand how important this concept is by volunteering. When they see the outcomes of their good deeds it is life-changing.”
ACA used numbers from the 2022/2023 school year for the application. That year, 104 students earned the Griffin Goodfellow Award with a combined total of 1,500 service hours at 20 different local organizations. Some of the service hours included: baseball buddies for special needs children playing in Miracle League, walking dogs for a local animal shelter, trash collection at local parks, working with National Wreaths Across America, collecting cans and coats for local charities, and working Christmas stores at churches and non-profits.
“We are immensely proud to receive this award,” said Sims. “Volunteerism is key to who we are. The parents of ACA students give tremendous amounts of time and energy to support our school. Our founders recognized the profound impact of giving back, not only on our students but also to our community. Through lessons in empathy, acts of generosity, and a commitment to our community ACA students emerge as the next generation of civic-minded, socially engaged leaders.”
Arlington Classics Academy is celebrating 25 years of service to Arlington, Dalworthington Gardens, and the surrounding communities. ACA is a tuition-free, open-enrollment public charter school that continues to receive the highest rating in academic accountability through the Texas Education Agency. For more information about the school, visit www.TryACA.com.
