The efficacy of ACME’s model is borne out by a marked increase in student engagement, matriculation, and employment rates and by the re-upping of teachers and professionals.
Students become better writers, communicators, and collaborators. They also develop a strong foundation in 21st century and leadership skills, including the ability to recognize patterns, originate new ideas, apply knowledge, and take risks.
A recent sampling of findings by an independent auditor indicates that:
- 99% of ACME high school students graduated
- 92% of our graduating seniors were headed for college
- 90% of our college students received offers of employment before graduating
- Over 1,000 ACME alumni are now working in “creative economy” companies, including Pixar, Disney, Hallmark, DreamWorks, Blizzard, Sony, and others
The skills our students develop not only help learners tap into their own ideas with enthusiasm, but also prepare them for a global, competitive marketplace. These skills include:
- Media and visual literacy
- Communication
- Critical thinking,
- Problem-solving,
- Taking initiative,
- Social responsibility,
- Leadership
- Innovation
- Presentation
- Collaboration
- Time management
- Giving and receiving constructive feedback
QUALITATIVE STATS (findings of an outside evaluator)
Marked improvement in these areas:
- Creative work
- Professional work ethic
- Animation skills in multiple areas within the field
- Complex communication, listening, & presentation skills including clear articulation of ideas – verbally, visually, and in writing
- Ability to critique the work of others using cogent, constructive comments and technical language
- Analytical skills applied to and advancing one’s own work
- Judgment to incorporate suggestions without sacrificing originality
- Ability to learn from others and collaborate successfully while reconciling contradictory opinions
- Sense of one’s own identity, potential, and voice
- Incentive to stay in school
- Desire to engage in self-expression and social networking in a principled way
SCHOOL-TO-CAREER
ACME students have:
- A skill base that is field-ready in many diverse professions
- A solid command of domain-specific language and terminology
- A clear edge over the competition, with no retraining required
- First-rate job opportunities
- Practical experience with a goal-oriented, collaborative process
- A seasoned work ethic and familiarity with the professional culture
- The wherewithal to bring ideas to life, while solving problems
- The desire and capability to give back
STANDARDS BASED
- National Education Technology
- Language Arts
- SCAN Skills
- Media Industry
- 21st Century Literacy Skills