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SMLA is a privately accredited school, but we don’t charge private school tuition rates. We wanted to provide a school that met the state’s standards as well as our students’ needs. Our main goal was to provide an excellent educational opportunity, and, as an educator, you can only do that if you have a lot of heart.
St. michael's learning academy
“You have to have Heart”:
A Conversation with SMLA's Christine Aboud
St. MIchael's Learning Academy Facult & Staff, including Christine Aboud front and center
1. Tell us about your organization and its mission. St. Michael’s Learning Academy is located in Houston, Texas and led by Zack Zakhem and myself. St. Michael’s Learning Academy exists for the purpose of assisting students in achieving their educational and career goals by providing a unique environment that incorporates a highly qualified and experienced staff along with an excellent curriculum. St. Michael’s Learning Academy provides secondary educational services in our private high school and post-secondary education services through our certification programs. Our certification programs include high-demand, industry-specific certifications that we identify through market research.
We are approved by the Texas Workforce Commission – Career Schools and Colleges, the Texas Veterans Commission, Workforce Solutions, the Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services (DARS), and the SAP University Alliance. We are also accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Council on Accreditation and School Improvement (SACS CASI) and the Texas Private School Accreditation Commission (TEPSAC). Additionally, the US Military has identified St. Michael’s Learning Academy as a Tier 1 school.
2. What programs has your organization implemented to help the military community, including spouses, military member, or veterans? While we’ve worked with veterans for the past eight years, we recently implemented our veteran programs in 2013. Our SAP certificate program was designed for service men and women who were leaving the military and entering the private sector, as well as dislocated workers with years of experience in Business industries, such as Logistics, Communications, Analytics, and Information Technology. Additionally, our recognition as a Tier 1 school by the military allows our students to enlist in the military. Our regional and national accreditation allows us to serve military children whose family’s service requires that they relocate to various schools during their high school education.