About — Urgent Academy

Opening in the Fall of 2024, Urgent Academy will be a space that allows young people to learn from entrepreneurs, industry professionals, designers, artists, and educators as they work, solve real problems, and create and build the 21st-century skills sought after by today's creative and technology-driven industries.

Our Vision

Every student designs a future fueled by their unique culture, creativity, and community.

Our vision at Urgent Academy is to create a learning community where every student's unique assets, including their experiences, culture, and perspectives, are valued and utilized to cultivate their creative minds, empower their voices, and enable them to shape positive change in their communities. We aim to build their capacity not only to envision their future but also to design it with confidence, purpose, and passion.

Our Mission

Equip students with the agency, skills, and mindset to achieve their aspirations and make meaningful contributions to their communities.

Our mission at Urgent Academy is to empower learners with the knowledge, skills, and mindset to become leaders and innovators in the 21st-century economy. We believe in fostering creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills that prepare our students to create, adapt, and thrive in an ever-changing world. Through personalized learning experiences and a supportive community, we aim to cultivate a lifelong love of learning that empowers our students to make positive contributions to their communities and the world.

Our Values

Our values are encapsulated in the acronym IMPACT:

Innovation and Creativity

Mastery in Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving

Personal Agency and Leadership

Advancement through Lifelong Learning

Community and Collaboration

Transformation through Civic Engagement and Social Responsibility

This reflects Urgent Academy's commitment to nurturing well-rounded individuals who are prepared for what’s next with confidence, purpose, and a deep sense of community and responsibility. Through Innovation, Mastery, Personal Agency, Creativity, Transformation, and Strength in Empowerment, we are committed to ensuring our students are equipped to contribute positively and lead with integrity.

Our Story

Urgent Academy was founded as a visionary extension of URGENT, Inc., a creative youth development organization with a rich history since 1994. Urgent Academy builds upon this legacy and marks an exciting chapter in its 30-year journey. URGENT, Inc. has been at the forefront of empowering young minds through out-of-school time programs focused on media arts education, positive youth development, and career-connected learning.

The genesis of Urgent Academy was fueled by a compelling need to redefine educational paradigms. We recognized the growing gap between what traditional schools offered and what our students needed – relevance, a sense of belonging, and platforms for expressing their unique selves. Urgent Academy was born out of the urgency to bridge this gap, to create a learning environment where creativity isn't just encouraged; it's the curriculum's cornerstone. By integrating URGENT, Inc.'s proven approaches to creative and positive youth development, Urgent Academy offers a multifaceted and dynamic educational experience. Join us in this extraordinary adventure as we continue to shape a brighter future for the creative minds of today.

This is our story – a story of innovation, transformation, and empowerment.. Welcome to Urgent Academy.

To learn more about URGENT, Inc.’s work, visit www.urgentinc.org.