Seattle Urban Academy

Situated in Seattle's Rainier Valley, Seattle Urban Academy is a safe, alternative, Christian, educational community where at-risk high school students develop academic, social, and spiritual maturity to graduate to higher education and sustained employment.

At SUA we have a vision: our alumni will be active contributors to their community, living out the hope and love that comes from transformed lives.

Our approach is to provide an affirming environment, low student-to-staff ratios and individualized curriculum. SUA?s committed educators serve as mentors, advocates and life coaches. Over time, as Principal Sharon Okamoto notes, ?Relationships of trust grow, students discover they are loved, and they learn the value of honesty and accountability.? Then, by working closely with youth agencies, businesses, law enforcement, civic groups and public and private officials, we?re able to provide the highest possible levels of opportunity to our students.

Having experienced academic failure in previous schools, students need a high level of individual attention, guidance and accountability. We concentrate that help in four areas for each student:

Love - develop trusting relationships
Build - involve appropriate social services
Learn - re-focus on academic achievement
Serve - graduate with clearly outlined goals

Every student, family member, staff member, volunteer, donor, partner and advocate that has ever been a part of Seattle Urban Academy will ?always be part of the SUA family? (David Hodge, SUA student, 2002)!