A typical student at Impact Mentoring Academy might be Shomari Simmons, 13.

He had an almost a perfect score in standardised language testing, but was doing poorly in the classroom.

In short, Shomari was bored.

"My mother was thinking it was because the work they were doing was not at my level," said Shomari.

His parents decided to send him to Impact Mentoring Academy. The school operates multi-grade classes where each student functions on an individualised educational plan at their own pace.

"Here you take a diagnostic on the computer," said Shomari. "Based on that diagnostic, they give you work to your level. I am doing a lot better. I am finding it challenging and I really like it."

He said in the mainstream classroom he often had to compete with 20 to 25 other students for the teacher's attention.

"There are so many people in the public and private schools that you can't talk to the teachers one-on-one," he said.

"If the teacher is teaching at a seventh grade math level and you don't understand it, you can ask the teacher and he will tell you. But if you still don't understand the teacher will go on, because he has to teach at that grade level. Here, you are learning at your own level. We can go at our own pace. If you have any problems you can talk to Mr. (Michael) Lima or Mr. White and they will sit here and talk to you until you understand."

Shomari dreams of becoming a shark expert. In addition to his regular school work, he takes classes with the Centre for Talented Youth. He had to take the Scholastic Achievement Test (SAT) to qualify for that programme.

Another student at the school, Tyler Wilson, 16, has been with Impact for three years.

"I like the one-on-one teaching," said Mr. Wilson.

"You have more time to understand the work. Here, you work at your own pace and you get more understanding."

Tyler was previously in a private school. At his previous school he wasn't progressing as fast as he wanted.

"My goals are to finish highschool and go to Virginia Tech," he said. "My favourite subject is definitely social studies."

He said that Impact Mentoring Academy brought him a new understanding of himself.

"I have also learned about presenting myself, and how to show my true potential," he said. "It is not so much like teacher to student, but man to man. You know that they care about you."

"The premise of Impact Mentoring Academy is that the curriculum can and should be configured to the individual as much as possible without abandoning the academic fundamentals and that young men thrive when they have clearly defined rites of passage into manhood," said Mr. White.

"Hence, our emphasis upon mentoring relationships."

Part of the programme involves learning skills that the students might be able to use to support themselves later on, whether it be their livelihood, or a way to support themselves through college.

These skills include things like house painting, and carpentry.

For several years, Samuel Bean, 16, has been working in a local law firm.

The law firm was so impressed, they hired him to work during the summer and during breaks.

"I think I am going to have an edge on those who haven't seen the law field," Samuel said. "I have seen the things the lawyers do in court, and watched them handle certain cases. I enjoy it there. I was there at mid-term break, so it is a good experience."

He said there is a lot of character building that goes on at the school.

"First thing every morning we go through devotions," he said. "This is about telling you how to be a good man in society and the community. It is about building your character from different perspectives."

One life changing experience for Samuel was going to Belize last summer with a group of other Impact students to help build a children's church.

"The poverty took your breathe away," he said. "It was eye opening. I have my home, but they are living out of shacks.

"The work ethic out there was pretty good. We got a good bit of work done, and I brought back a much better appreciation of what we have here."

George Cook, 16, interns with Steve Easton's Just Platinum Studios on a weekly basis.

He hopes to one day work in music production.

"I was told about the programme from a friend who is here," he said.

"I was at a private school before. I feel that I couldn't reach my full potential at my old school. I was being held back.

"I am hoping to start learning piano soon. At Just Platinum Studios I have gotten a lot of advice. I am learning how to use certain equipment."

George is currently working towards his General Education Diploma (GED).