Leadership Academy for Young Men graduates its last class Saturday

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WHEC) – It’s the start of summer break for a lot of students here in the Rochester area. For some of these students at the Leadership Academy for Young Men, it’s off to college!

Saturday’s graduation ceremony is especially bittersweet, as it’s the last year for the Leadership Academy. Founded in 2011 to improve graduation rates for young men of color, there has been low enrollment across the district, and the unfortunate decision was made to close.

"A lot of the boys that made it tried really hard and they did it. I’m very proud of all of them and they got bright futures. We’re just moving on to something else as far as the school, but that last group of kids, they put a good bookend on to the legacy of Leadership,” said Ron Moore, Resource Officer at Leadership Academy for Young Men.

Seniors of the class of 2023 will be sent to other local schools, unable to graduate together.