Overview

The Grayson County SOAR Academy is the Juvenile Justice Alternative Education Program (JJAEP). A JJAEP is mandated by statute for every county that has exceeded 125,000 in total county population. The SOAR Academy is a collaboration between Juvenile Services and the Sherman ISD. This campus serves the 13 school districts throughout the county. A youth in this program has often committed an offense on their home campus (or at a campus related event) or committed a serious offense in the community. The SOAR Academy is focused on the values of Safety, Connection, Education, and Teamwork.

Admissions Contact for ISD personnel

Kristina Bruce, JJAEP Administrator

Address : 10,000 N. Grayson, Denison, Texas 75020
Phone: (903) 786-6326
Fax: (903) 786-9401
Email: Kristina.bruce@co.grayson.tx.us

Admissions Requirements

The SOAR Academy serves juveniles (males and females) 10-17 years old, 6^th – 12^th grade. Referrals come from School Districts throughout the County.  

General Information

Mission Statement - The SOAR Academy is a committed TEAM that will strive to provide a safe alternative education environment that allows students to perform at grade level that will positively IMPACT the student’s life.

• The goal of the Juvenile Justice Alternative Education Program (JJAEP) is to reduce delinquency, increase offender accountability and rehabilitate offenders through a comprehensive, coordinated community-based juvenile probation system. JJAEPs are authorized by chapter 37 of the Texas Education Code which states that only a disciplinary alternative education program operated under the authority of a juvenile board of a county is considered a juvenile justice alternative education program. The JJAEPs assist students in performing at grade level as a result of academic interventions provided by the JJAEP in language arts, mathematics, science, social studies and self-discipline. Some JJAEP programs are able to provide some electives.

  
  Students are assigned to a JJAEP program as a result of violating Texas Education Code Chapter 37 listed offenses which include: 1) mandatory expulsion from their home school campus for serious infractions of the Student Code of Conduct, 2) discretionary expulsions for serious infractions that occur off-campus as well as other infractions of the Student Code of Conduct, or 3) are court ordered due to Title V offenses or probation conditions.

  The Grayson County SOAR academy partners with Sherman ISD for education services and is able to serve all 13 school districts in Grayson County. The SOAR Academy can educate up to 20 students.

• The Grayson County SOAR Academy staff consists of a Facility Administrator, JJAEP Specialist, Mental Health Professional, a Principal and two certified teachers.

• The Grayson County SOAR Academy is able to partner with the Texas Child Health Access through Telemedicine (TCHATT) to help identify and assess the behavioral health needs of adolescents in the academy. Through this partnership, there is an ability to access mental health services.