Prevail Academy Recognized as Capturing Kids’ Hearts National Showcase School

For the second year in a row, teachers and staff at Prevail Academy are gleaming with pride after being named a Capturing Kids’ Hearts National Showcase School for the 2019-20 school year. The team was selected by the Flippen Group, in part, because of National Heritage Academies’ Moral Focus curriculum, most specifically, the Behave with Care model. 

“Being recognized for a second straight year means a lot to our Prevail team and our families,” said Mark Weigle, principal at Prevail Academy. “It demonstrates that our ‘Behave with Care’ approach is working, the building of positive relationships is effective, and we strive to provide the best social-emotional learning environment possible from the time scholars enter Prevail and beyond.”

Through this award, the Flippen Group recognizes and celebrates schools that create an environment where students and staff feel safe and connected. Schools that are selected have been nominated for displaying the Flippen Group’s desired behaviors and for holding their teams accountable for living out transformational behaviors and processes.

“This incredible and well-deserved honor is a testament to Prevail’s genuine care and love for kids,” said John Cogley, director of school quality at National Heritage Academies. “Thank you to Prevail’s staff for going the extra mile to capture kids’ hearts!”

Each year, nominees from across the United States are considered based on a variety of criteria, including in-person observations and academic and behavioral data, among others.

“The award also shows how Prevail uses teamwork,” said Weigle. “We look out for the well-being of each other, our scholars, and our families at Prevail. We embody the motto of ‘if you have a child’s heart…you have a child’s mind’ at Prevail!”

Even while away from the school, staff members at Prevail continue finding new ways to capture kids’ hearts during the coronavirus pandemic. Teachers gathered virtually to discuss how to recognize high school seniors in their community who are graduating this year.

“With the current events impacting our school and also our former scholars, we wanted to discover a way to help honor and celebrate our scholars who are seniors this year,” said Stacey Jovanovski, dean of lower elementary at Prevail.

Jovanovski shared that since many graduation events are being canceled during these uncertain times, the staff aims to accomplish several things by recognizing the school’s former students. “It helps to brighten their spirits and the spirit of their families,” she said. “Also, the recognition provides a platform for all staff members, past and present, to send congratulations to the graduating class and say great things about these kids on the school’s Facebook page.”

Lastly, it provides a platform to share the success stories of former Prevail students who had their roots started at Prevail. “It’s been so amazing to hear how it’s made teachers smile as I am sure it has done the same for the seniors and their families,” said Jovanovski.

Great work, Prevail!