Nashville, Tennessee, December, 2018- The University School of Law & Leadership, INC. has announced its plans to open in Fall 2019. The school will serve bright student's residing in low-income communities throughout the city of Nashville. The University School of Law & Leadership's staff, Board of Directors, and Board of Advisors (listed below) are comprised of state and local legal and educational professional's.
The University School of Law & Leadership, which is located on the campus of St. James Baptist Church, located at 600 28th Ave. N., Nashville, TN, 37209, will serve student's entering the 7th and 8th grade. The school will add one grade per year, growing to serve grades 9th-12th by 2024. Rising 7th and 8th grade students are encouraged to apply through the Office of Admissions during the school’s enrollment period. Enrollment opens January 1st, 2019- April 15th, 2019. The first day of class is expected to begin September 9th, 2019.
“We’re establishing The University School of Law & Leadership to meet an overwhelming demand in the community for a school serving bright at promise students, allowing young people to develop a positive attitude towards the law and reduce juvenile delinquency.,” said Tracy Boyd, Jr., The University School of Law & Leadership’s Founder and 2019-2020 Dean of Students.
“These are kids who can be very successful if they are placed in the right environment, and from what I have seen this Law & Leadership organization is creating a highly effective program.” – Brandi Jones, USLL Advisory Board President
About The University School of Law & Leadership
The Mission of The University School of Law & Leadership is to provide students and staff with a safe facility where a strong academic education is given in conjunction with an in depth study of Law Enforcement and The American Criminal Justice System. It's our goal to close the gaps in opportunity and achievement that consign far too many young people — especially those from low-income families or who are Black, Latino, or American Indian — to lives on the margins of the American mainstream.
Our challenging curriculum and tangible education approaches are designed to engage students in a critical examination of their legal rights and responsibilities. At The University School of Law & Leadership, student's take vocational classes at each grade level that exposes them to the knowledge, skills, and experience necessary for civic engagement. Student's will have discussions; have the opportunity to research and debate with their classmates about practical legal and societal problems, contemporary legal issues, and the ramifications of breaking the law.
“The ultimate goal of the school is to provide student's with a sense of belonging in society through empowerment and knowledge of the law”, said Mr. Boyd.
By providing student's with a non-adversarial view of the law, The University School of Law & Leadership works to provide student's with an understanding of the fundamental principles of authority, fairness, justice and responsibility that underlie our legal system. By demystifying the law, The University School of Law & Leadership will hopefully allow young people to develop a positive attitude towards the law and reduce juvenile delinquency.
Our school will enhance the students’ development in other subjects in our middle and high school curriculum by way of identifying, analyzing and explaining the ways in which Americans have used social norms and laws to communicate and express points of view, utilized problem solving skills, experimented with new ideas to improve society, and relied upon research, reason, and truth to nurture the individual and our role in the greater society.
Finally, in order for young people to be successful and view themselves as valuable members of society, they must be equipped with legal knowledge and civic skills, as well as the confidence to use those skills. The academic programs offered by our school help provide young people with these tools and can be a key component in job training programs and any life skill programming. Giving young people the tools they need to negotiate in the adult legal world is an important step in preparing active, engaged, and successful young adults who can meet the challenges of the future.
Other subjects will include: Core Academic Courses (Math, Science, English, and History), Youth & Mental Health, Social & Emotional Health, Home Economics (Teen Living), Public Speaking, Career’s & College Readiness, Mock Trial and Financial/Business Management.
The Benefits of an Education at The University School of Law & Leadership
The University School of Law & Leadership curriculum benefits young people in numerous ways. It provides them with practical, relevant content that they can use in their daily lives, while developing skills that are important for civic and workplace success.
Relevant Legal Curriculum
Youth transitioning into adulthood need time and programs that attend to the transition. The University School of Law & Leadership curriculum is developed as a practical course in law and legal issues for our students. It is filled with high-quality content that applies directly to students’ lives. Relatable content helps promote student engagement and active participation, which contributes to both student achievement and an interest in the law.
Community Connections & Resources
There are many opportunities throughout The University School of Law & Leadership to either bring community resources into the classroom or to travel outside the classroom to connect students to our local legal and business community. While academic standard alignment is important, so too is the opportunity for students to see real life examples of how the legal and leadership community functions. Adding community connections to our legal curriculum can bring the law to life for our students, while giving students the opportunity to consider possible careers in law, law enforcement, entrepreneurship, government, and other professions of their choice.
Our instructors and resource people come from a variety of backgrounds- classroom teachers, social workers, probation officers, business people, lawyers, paralegals, law students, college students and other varieties of interested people. Adult involvement allows students to see adult professionals in another role- a role that clearly demonstrates that the instructor or the resource person chose to offer their time and care to the participating students in a positive learning environment.
The University School of Law & Leadership is currently seeking membership and accreditation by AdvanceED Accrediting Agency.
The University School of Law & Leadership Non-Discriminatory Policy
The University School of Law & Leadership admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.
The University School of Law & Leadership, INC. Board of Directors:
- Courtney Teasley, JD- President
- Doak Patton, JD- Vice President
- Brittany Edmondson, JD - Secretary
- Melissa Byrd, Accountant -Treasure
- J. Ryan Johnson, JD- General Counsel
- Tracy Boyd, B.LS. M.L.S., E. JD, pending- School Representative
The University School of Law & Leadership, INC. School Advisory Board:
- Brandi Jones, B.S, M.A., MFT,- USLL Advisory Board President
- Chemyeeka Tumblin, B.S., MFT., -USLL advisory Board Vice-President
- Krystal McKenney, B.S., M.S., Ed. S., Ed. D.,pending- School Headmistress
- Christopher Rollins, B.S., M.HS, Dean of Youth Development & Discipline
The University School of Law & Leadership Administration / Faculty
- Tracy Boyd, School Founder / Dean of Students
- Krystal McKenney, Headmistress of School, Director of Counseling Services
- Jayson Douglas, Headmaster, Director of Academic Services & Field Placement
- Shemicka Holt, Director of Admissions
We’re hoping to get your support as we launch The University School of Law & Leadership!
For further information, The University School of Law & Leadership can be contacted by calling the Main Office at, (615) 320-5695.