Graduate Testimonials

JDAL taught me independence and allowed me to open up to others. My advisors encouraged me to strive for the best. My Lexile level was middle school level, when I arrived to JDAL, by the time I graduated my Lexile had grown significantly! Currently, as a college sophomore, my Lexile level is 1385! I could not have done it without some of the most supportive advisors! I learned many valuable things at JDAL, from teamwork to determination. Thank you JDAL!.Karina MendezUWGB, Social Worker Program

JDAL helped me develop time management skills in working on independent projects which I've found can be applied all the time in both college and work. I gained good communication skills from the tight-knit JDAL community. I became better at brainstorming, finding my own dreams, and my own passions. JDAL helped me gain confidence, knowing I had a support system to hold my hand when I needed it and push me out of my comfort zone. During my time at JDAL I always felt like I was respected and cared about. I was surrounded by people with my best interest at heart. I think one of the best things I learned at JDAL was how to find resources and contacts in the community. That skill will get you so far! JDAL really is a school of opportunity. It's all there for you! You can start your own seminar and gain teaching experience, you can run the school store and gain management skills, you can start and join nearly any club or council you can imagine, there are so many volunteer opportunities, you can gear any required credit towards a project that you're passionate about. Instead of a school that's already built and follows a certain guideline for all students, JDAL provides each student with their own building blocks.
McKenna ArnoldUWGB, Environmental Science

JDAL really helped me with my people skills which is helping immensely with the Military!
Jesse MalvitzUnited States Army

John Dewey Academy prepared me by learning everything hands on...now I am in beauty school where everything is hands on as well. It also prepared me for the Army knowing I could speak with Mr. Mike and recruiters while going to school. John Dewey has helped all of us in good ways...I am glad I was able to graduate from JDAL! 
Trinity NaeseEmpire Beauty School

There is a lot more motivation in learning about things you want to learn about than there is in sitting at a desk. The things you learn feel like accomplishments and not just something everyone knows. Making projects is an entertaining way to apply what you learn, and then you have something afterward to show for it. Seeing other people present their projects was fun; a lot of them were really unique and interesting. Being able to show off a project you are proud of is the best. For one of my first projects I made a flash game, which was amazing to be able to watch everyone play.

JDAL has fewer students that you get to know pretty much everyone. We had a little Magic: the Gathering league which we played during breaks. We even started a game club where after school we played games like Soul Calibur, Smash Bros, and Munchkin. It is a great community! 
 

Isaac TschamplNWTC, Software Development