As the 2024-2025 school year continues, one of the biggest challenges Memphis Street Academy (MSA) students face is simply getting to school. Situated near Kensington’s open-air drug market, students are exposed to unsafe conditions daily. Many parents, concerned for their children's safety, often feel compelled to keep them home. The post-COVID era has further complicated things, with remote learning during the pandemic creating a misconception that in-person attendance is less important, when it’s actually critical.

At MSA, we focus on educating parents about the necessity of consistent attendance and the risks of chronic absenteeism. Despite the influence of countless external factors—students witnessing drug activity, prostitution, and more—we work tirelessly to provide resources, support, and education to students and their families. We strive to give them a safe environment to learn, but we can't do it alone. We need citywide partnerships to ensure students can safely attend school each day.

These barriers directly impact students' ability to focus and succeed when learning in-person. American Paradigm Schools (APS) and MSA remain dedicated to addressing these challenges by prioritizing social-emotional learning and overall well-being. By providing holistic support, we aim to offer stability in their education. However, the fight is far from over—we need ongoing reinforcement to advocate for the safer conditions and resources our students deserve.

Please share our petition and continue to stand with us. Together, we can create a safer environment for our students to thrive.