What is Open Doors Academy?

It's Magical.  The first time you see the light bulb go off in a child's head.  The first time they think, "I wil graduate from high school and go to college."  When they confidently say, "I can be whatever I want to be."

When kids feel safe and loved it's amazing what they can do.  We've been providing students with a safe, secure place for two decades.  The results are extremely gratifying.  100 percent of our alumni graduate from high school.  Even after they graduate high school, our alumni remain committed to Open Doors Academy - often participating and giving back to the program they love.  

OUR MISSION

Open Doors Academy works to nurture, protect, inspire and challenge adolescents to reach their full potential through the provision of meaningful out-of-school enrichment activities in a safe and structured environment.

Open Doors BoysOur History

Open Doors began in 1992 as a youth drop-in program at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Cleveland Heights, Ohio. The idea was born when Roxboro Middle School students began lingering on the church’s property after school. Further investigation revealed that most of the children were returning home to no supervision. In response, the church opened its doors to the youth, and began addressing their academic, emotional and social challenges in a structured, after-school program. In the early years, Open Doors regularly enrolled 15 students and eventually grew to 25.

Our Evolution

Over the years, Open Doors Academy has evolved from a drop-in center to a highly structured enrichment program designed to equip middle school students with the skills they need to face the challenges of adolescence. 

In 2002, Open Doors Academy became an incorporated, fully independent non-profit organization operating under a 501(c)(3) status. A second site opened in 2005 at the Fairmount Presbyterian Church to accomodate a growing demand for enrollment from parents and students. With the addition of a new site, Open Doors could now serve up to 80 students.

The 2009 school year marked yet another milestone for Open Doors with the opening of three new sites.  Open Doors Academy was awarded three capacity building grants that made it possible to start programs at Miles Park Elementary School in Cleveland, Wiley Middle School in University Heights, and Forest Park Middle School in Euclid.  Today, Open Doors Academy operates five middle school sites and three high school sites, enrolling up to 330 students, and providing year-round programming both in-school and out-of-school that is designed to transform the lives of the youth served.