The Academy marks five years of impact in Waukegan

In the fall of 2020, as remote learning took hold and many Waukegan students struggled, Jonathan Jones, then a basketball coach at John Lewis Middle School, and Brandon Massey, executive director of A Bigger World Foundation, stepped up with an urgent mission: to keep kids engaged and learning during the pandemic’s darkest days.

What started as an ad hoc e-learning site for six students has grown into The Academy, a youth development program celebrating its fifth anniversary this summer. The Academy now provides academic support, basketball training, and social and emotional development to over 150 middle and high school students.

“From the start, it was clear that providing a consistent routine and support system could make a huge difference,” Massey said. “Within weeks, the students’ grades and class participation improved noticeably.”

The students’ teachers also saw improvements in both grades and confidence in the classroom. When in-person sessions resumed in 2021, Massey and Jones expanded it into a full after-school and summer program and Jones joined The Academy full-time.

For Jones, the transformation in the lives of the students over the last five years is nothing short of remarkable.

“The most impactful part of The Academy has been watching our students grow emotionally, learning to handle the everyday pressures of being young minority men,” Jones said. “They’re starting to believe in themselves in a real way, and they know The Academy community has their back.”

Since 2020, The Academy has served students, providing a safe space for them to learn, play and grow. By focusing on three pillars — Education, Basketball and Exploration — The Academy continues to help students thrive both on and off the court.

“Basketball and academics are different, but both take dedication, practice, goal setting and communication,” Massey said. “Whether you're working on a jump shot or an essay, it’s about putting in the work.”

Learn more at abwtheacademy.org.