In March of 2009, the Alternative Learning Community in East Oakland changed its name to the Barack Obama Academy, the first middle school in the United States to be named after the president. Ever since its name change, this technically alternative school has been helping kids who had trouble in mainstream education. For students at the academy, school isn’t just a place to be bored, mischievous, and overly social. School is a place to get to know classmates and teachers like family. With only 24 students and five staff, the Barack Obama Academy gives new meaning to personal attention for Oakland youth. Carmen Elster has the story.
In March of 2009, the Alternative Learning Community in East Oakland changed its name to the 