Manley High School

About Umoja

Umoja Student Development Corporation was formed in 1997 to link the educational efforts of Manley Career Academy High School to the broader community and to serve as an advocate for young people.

Umoja equips young people at Manley to succeed in college and confidently claim their future. We do this by building a web of dynamic relationships where schools, families and communities partner to bridge the gap between the talents and ambitions of low income young people and the resources they need to thrive.

Umoja participants:

• Graduate from high school
• Continue their education and training
• Are confident and competent
• Act as leaders
• Develop their communities and schools
• Are critical thinkers

Umoja is committed to:

• A holistic youth-centered model
• Long term relationships with young people
• Respectful relationships with families
• Mutually beneficial partnerships with schools
• thought leadership and support to principals, counselors and teachers
• High expectations for schools and students
• Measurable outcomes
• Recruiting and retaining high quality staff and volunteers
• Engaging the business community in support of schools and young people

Umoja Initiatives at Manley

College and Career: The Umoja College and Career team works closely with the rest of the Manley Post Secondary team to prepare students for college and other post secondary opportunities. Umoja works with the post secondary team to implement a weekly College Class for all seniors, provide college and career counseling, hosts weekly scholarship workshops, and sponsors college trips for students of all grade levels. For more information please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Leadership and Justice: Umoja works with Manley teachers and administration to provide weekly training and support to a select group of student leaders and engage them in restoring conflict in and harm caused to their school. This is done through peer jury, peace circles, and a variety of other student initiated actions. For more information contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Student Development: Umoja works closely with the Manley Student Development committee to plan, create, and implement monthly student development curriculum This curriculum covers a variety of topics including: personal choices, transitions, community service, creating a post-secondary plan, and identity development. For more information please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.


Manley Clubs and Programs

Writer's Workshop: Umoja runs an After School Matters Writer's Workshop three days a week after school. This year's Writer's Workshop theme is "The History of Hip Hop". Students in Writer's Workshop learn about hip hop, improve their writing skills, and have an opportunity to practice and engage with many forms of creative writing.

Upward Bound: Upward Bound is a college preparation program that provides a variety of support services to fifty Manley students from the Class of 2011 throughout the school year and summer. Students in the program receive academic advising, tutoring, and participate in numerous college visits and cultural events throughout the year.

Academic Resource Center: Umoja's Academic Resource Center (ARC) is located in Room 124. The ARC is open on Tuesdays and Fridays during lunch time for students who want a space to do homework or are looking for tutoring and after school for students who want a place to relax, do homework, or play games.

Manley Student Leadership Team: This team is for all current student leaders. We meet Tuesdays during all four lunch periods in the teachers lunch room to develop our leadership skills and take action in our school.

Peer Jury: Peer Jury consists of a group of specially trained student leaders who are referred cases from the Discipline Office. Peer Jurors work with the referred student to identify the harm caused and to create an agreement that will repair the harm.