RCA Partners with Moving in the Spirit

 RCA ADDS ELEMENT OF DANCE TO ITS ENRICHMENT PROGRAM Students are moved by a new partnership with Atlanta-based Moving in the Spirit

ATLANTA (September 9, 2009) — The Ron Clark Academy is proud to announce the launch of  a new partnership with Moving in the Spirit.  Each Wednesday, a select group of Ron Clark Academy girls participate in an hour long Stepping Stones dance class as part of their After School Program.  In addition to learning the fundamental techniques of modern dance, the girls are also being taught leadership and positive youth development through performance and choreography.  Moving in the Spirit’s Artistic Director, Dana Lupton, is teaching the 14 teenagers each week.  “Our curriculum encourages young people to make positive lifestyle decisions and attain higher levels of academic achievement, while building their self-esteem,” said Lupton.

Moving in the Spirit received a $3,000 grant through the Atlanta Falcons’ Youth Foundation for scholarships to help up to 75 students from various organizations, including The Ron Clark Academy, to attend its Stepping Stones dance programs.“We’re thrilled to have the opportunity for some of our young ladies, who have shown an interest and talent in dance, to be a part of such a powerful program,” said Kim Bearden, Co-founder and Executive Director of The Ron Clark Academy.  “This is a true collaborative partnership that not only benefits our girls but many others within the metro Atlanta area.”

###

About The Ron Clark Academy

The Ron Clark Academy is a private, nonprofit SACS CASI accredited middle school in Southeast Atlanta that promotes innovation and inspires its students through energetic teaching balanced by a strict code of discipline.  Each year, 3,000 educators from around the world visit the Academy to learn how to replicate the school’s style, philosophy and success in their own classrooms.  The Academy currently relies on outside funding to provide scholarships to students from varying academic backgrounds.

About Moving in the Spirit

Moving in the Spirit is a nationally recognized youth development program that integrates high quality dance instruction with performance, leadership and mentor opportunities for young people in Atlanta, Georgia. Our mission is to educate, inspire and unite young people through dance, in order to help them become
compassionate leaders.