Academy of Creative Education

Academy of Creative Education
Address
3736 Perrin Central, Building #2 San Antonio , Bexar , Texas 78217 United States
Information
School type	Public, High School
Motto	Lighting The Way
Founded	September 16, 1991
School district	North East ISD
Principal	Dr. Patrick J. Valdez
Age range	16-21
Language	English
Website	http://www.neisd.net/ace

The Academy of Creative Education (ACE) is a non-traditional, non-punitive high school for students at risk of dropping out in the North East Independent School District in San Antonio, Texas. ACE was established in 1991 to offer classes for at-risk youth between 16–21 years old, and its staff is composed of educators and community representatives.

ACE provides a different environment to at-risk students in which to learn, where the instructors use innovative teaching models and teaching strategies. This creative approach aims to improve student achievement when the traditional high school model has failed them.

History

ACE first opened their doors on September 16, 1991 as a product of collaboration between NEISD and a Texas Education Agency grant. Between this partnership, ACE was designed as a learning environment that gives students multiple pathways to gain and demonstrate knowledge.

Since opening, ACE has accumulated multiple state, national, and international recognitions, including the 2003 Crystal Star Award from the National Dropout Prevention Network and the Reaching At-Promise Students Association’s Best Practice Award. Their former principal, Dr. Mary Jo McLaughlin, was honored as a Top Finalist for Time Warner Cable’s National Champion Principal Award. ACE is currently led by Principal Dr. Patrick J. Valdez.