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[[File:Magic City Acceptance Academy logo.png|right|275px]]
{{Infobox School
'''Magic City Acceptance Academy''' ('''MCAA''') is a planned charter high school sponsored by [[Birmingham AIDS Outreach]] as part of its mission to provide free services for LGBTQ youth. The school would provide a standard high school curriculum while fostering an environment free of bullying, which is a major factor in limiting educational opportunities for LGBTQ students. Straight "allies" would also be welcomed at the school.
|name          =Magic City Acceptance Academy
|image          =[[File:Magic City Acceptance Academy logo.png|225px]]
|established    =2021
|type          =Charter
|district      =[[Alabama State Department of Education]]
|grades        =6-12
|head-type      =Principal
|principal      =Patton Furman
|enrollment    =350
|enroll-year    =2023
|colors        =
|mascot        =
|address        =75 [[Bagby Drive]]
|city          =Homewood
|website        =[https://www.magiccityacceptanceacademy.org/ magiccityacceptanceacademy.org]
}}
'''Magic City Acceptance Academy''' ('''MCAA''') is a charter high school sponsored by [[Birmingham AIDS Outreach]] as part of its mission to provide free services for LGBTQ youth. The school provides a standard high school curriculum while fostering an environment free of bullying, which is a major factor in limiting educational opportunities for LGBTQ students. Straight "allies" are also be welcomed at the school. The curriculum incorporates trauma-informed teaching strategies to facilitate learning.


[[Michael Wilson]] was hired as principal for the planned school, which anticipated opening in August [[2021]] with about 250 students.
[[Michael Wilson]] was hired as principal for the school, which opened in August [[2021]] with 270 students. It is located at 75 [[Bagby Drive]] in [[Homewood]].


==Approval==
The [[Birmingham Board of Education]], which generally opposes charter schools, denied the group's application in January [[2020]]. The [[Alabama Public Charter School Commission]], which has frequently overruled local boards, voted 6-2 to deny a charter for the Academy.
The [[Birmingham Board of Education]], which generally opposes charter schools, denied the group's application in January [[2020]]. The [[Alabama Public Charter School Commission]], which has frequently overruled local boards, voted 6-2 to deny a charter for the Academy.


The Academy then made plans to open in [[Homewood]]. Since [[Homewood City Schools]] plays no role in authorizing charter schools, the application was made directly to the state commission. In their [[September 10]], 2020 meeting the application got 3 affirmative votes and 1 vote against, with four abstentions. Since the application did not receive approval from a majority of the eight members present, the application was effectively denied. Chair [[Henry Nelson]] requested a re-vote, but the motion failed.
The Academy then made plans to open in [[Homewood]]. Since [[Homewood City Schools]], unlike Birmingham, played no role in authorizing charter schools, the application was made directly to the state commission.
 
In their [[September 10]], 2020 meeting the application got 3 affirmative votes and 1 vote against, with four abstentions. Since the application did not receive approval from a majority of the eight members present, it was effectively denied. Chair [[Henry Nelson]] requested a re-vote, but the motion failed. The commission did take up the motion again on [[September 17]]. Once more it failed to gain a majority, by a vote of 4 in favor, 3 against and 1 abstention, and was therefore denied.
 
MCAA petitioned for a re-hearing on the grounds that sufficient reasons for rejecting their application had not been furnished. A fourth vote was held on [[November 4]]. The schools application was approved then with 7 yes votes, 1 no, and 1 abstention from the 9 members present.
 
==Operation==
Magic City Acceptance Academy opened in August 2021.
 
In [[2021]] the system was awarded $122,346  in federal Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funds tied to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]].
 
During the [[2022 primary elections]], Republican gubernatorial candidate [[Tim James]] aired television advertisements with images of the school, its faculty and students taken from social media posts. He dishonestly described the academy as a "transgender public school". Since the ads aired, provoking some harassment, the school increased its security and provided additional counseling to students.
 
===Principals==
* [[Michael Wilson]], 2021–2022
* [[Patton Furman]], 2022–


==References==
==References==
Line 12: Line 44:
* Dunigan, Jonece Starr (May 12, 2020) "Alabama’s 1st LGBTQ charter school denied state-level appeal." {{BN}}
* Dunigan, Jonece Starr (May 12, 2020) "Alabama’s 1st LGBTQ charter school denied state-level appeal." {{BN}}
* Crain, Trisha Powell (September 10, 2020) "Alabama’s LGBTQ charter school denied again by state commission." {{BN}}
* Crain, Trisha Powell (September 10, 2020) "Alabama’s LGBTQ charter school denied again by state commission." {{BN}}
* Crain, Trisha Powell (September 18, 2020) "Alabama denies LGBTQ charter school again, supporters claim bias." {{BN}}
* Crain, Trisha Powell  (November 4, 2020) "Birmingham LGBTQ safe space charter school approved for 2021 opening." {{BN}}
* Miles, Kyra (August 30, 2021) "[https://wbhm.org/feature/2021/lgbtq-students-find-hope-in-new-affirming-school-the-magic-city-acceptance-academy/ LGBTQ Students Find Hope In New Affirming School: The Magic City Acceptance Academy]" WBHM.org
* Crain, Trisha Powell (October 25, 2021) "Alabama schools got $3 billion in federal COVID relief money. Where did it go?" {{BN}}
* Hedgepeth, Lee (April 13, 2022) "‘Disgusting’: Children called slurs, security increased following political ad attacking Birmingham area school." CBS42.com
* Fortin, Jacey (May 8, 2022) "A Haven for L.G.B.T.Q. Students in the Heart of Alabama." ''The New York Times''
* Tryens-Fernandes, Savannah (May 16, 2022) "Inside the first year of the Alabama school where LGBTQ students are celebrated." {{BN}}
* McGibney, Megen (JUNE 14, 2022) "[https://www.teenvogue.com/story/alabama-magic-city-acceptance-academy Alabama's Magic City Acceptance Academy Is an Oasis for LGBTQ Students As Legislative Attacks Continue]" ''Teen Vogue''
* Watson, Nathan (April 28, 2023) "New principal shares exciting plans for Magic City Acceptance Academy." {{BNow}}
==External links==
* [https://www.magiccityacceptanceacademy.org/ Magic City Acceptance Academy] website


[[Category:Charter schools]]
[[Category:Charter schools]]
[[Category:Gay culture]]
[[Category:Gay culture]]
[[Category:2021 establishments]]

Latest revision as of 15:01, 1 May 2023

Magic City Acceptance Academy
Magic City Acceptance Academy logo.png
Established 2021
School type Charter
District Alabama State Department of Education
Grades 6-12
Principal Patton Furman
Enrollment 350 (2023)
Colors
Mascot
Location 75 Bagby Drive
Homewood
Website magiccityacceptanceacademy.org

Magic City Acceptance Academy (MCAA) is a charter high school sponsored by Birmingham AIDS Outreach as part of its mission to provide free services for LGBTQ youth. The school provides a standard high school curriculum while fostering an environment free of bullying, which is a major factor in limiting educational opportunities for LGBTQ students. Straight "allies" are also be welcomed at the school. The curriculum incorporates trauma-informed teaching strategies to facilitate learning.

Michael Wilson was hired as principal for the school, which opened in August 2021 with 270 students. It is located at 75 Bagby Drive in Homewood.

Approval

The Birmingham Board of Education, which generally opposes charter schools, denied the group's application in January 2020. The Alabama Public Charter School Commission, which has frequently overruled local boards, voted 6-2 to deny a charter for the Academy.

The Academy then made plans to open in Homewood. Since Homewood City Schools, unlike Birmingham, played no role in authorizing charter schools, the application was made directly to the state commission.

In their September 10, 2020 meeting the application got 3 affirmative votes and 1 vote against, with four abstentions. Since the application did not receive approval from a majority of the eight members present, it was effectively denied. Chair Henry Nelson requested a re-vote, but the motion failed. The commission did take up the motion again on September 17. Once more it failed to gain a majority, by a vote of 4 in favor, 3 against and 1 abstention, and was therefore denied.

MCAA petitioned for a re-hearing on the grounds that sufficient reasons for rejecting their application had not been furnished. A fourth vote was held on November 4. The schools application was approved then with 7 yes votes, 1 no, and 1 abstention from the 9 members present.

Operation

Magic City Acceptance Academy opened in August 2021.

In 2021 the system was awarded $122,346 in federal Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funds tied to the COVID-19 pandemic.

During the 2022 primary elections, Republican gubernatorial candidate Tim James aired television advertisements with images of the school, its faculty and students taken from social media posts. He dishonestly described the academy as a "transgender public school". Since the ads aired, provoking some harassment, the school increased its security and provided additional counseling to students.

=Principals

References

External links

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