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Securing the Future of Dekalb

Students collaborating on laptops

Collaborative Problem Solving

Students in technical training session

Practical Lab Stations

Mentors and students in session

Veteran Mentorship & Guidance

Academy cohort group photo

Academy Cohort

Program Overview

The program is about helping students navigate through the IT world with comprehensive career guidance, hands-on experience, deep technical understanding, and recognized industry certifications.

Every student in the program leaves with a concrete career plan in IT—whether stepping directly into the workforce, joining the military, or continuing their higher education.

Who We Help

We focus our mentorship and training on dedicated Teens who want to build stable, long-term, high-growth careers in IT and Cybersecurity.

Teens building foundational technical pathways
Program In Action

Life & Achievements at Academy

Student proudly holding earned industry certifications

Student Success: Proud student displaying multiple industry-recognized certifications earned through the academy.

Academy Certification Wall

Certification Wall: Showcasing the growing wall of credentials and achievements secured by our cohorts.

Graduate announces new IT job

Graduate Milestone: Graduate Announces new IT Job.

Academy Lab and Network Demonstration

Advanced Training: Practical demonstration of network and cybersecurity configurations.

VirtualBox Network Settings

Technical Training: Configuring virtual network settings and bridging adapters for student cyber ranges.

What We Need: Funding & Resources

We are actively looking for funding and partnership support to cover the direct costs of industry certifications and essential lab equipment. Your investment enables us to scale our impact and bring this proven training model to more teens across Dekalb.

Directly transforming community workforce pipelines through targeted technical enablement.

Validated Outcomes & Metrics

Measurable success rates driven by mentorship and practical training.

98%
Pathway Completion

Students successfully complete the rigorous structured curriculum.

100%
Certification Rate

Every student earns at least one industry-recognized certification.

70%+
Multi-Cert Achievers

Graduates secure two or more industry certifications.

At least 70%

of program completers continue their cybersecurity education in college or enter the workforce directly in IT.

Certifications Our Students Receive

Our curriculum aligns with top-tier vendor and foundational credentials.

CompTIA Logo

CompTIA

  • CompTIA Tech+
  • CompTIA A+
  • CompTIA Security+
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Google

  • Google IT Support Professional Certificate
  • Google Cybersecurity Professional Certificate
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Microsoft

  • Microsoft AZ-900 (Azure Fundamentals)
  • Microsoft SC-900 (Azure Security)
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Cisco

  • Cisco CCST IT Support
  • Cisco CCST Networking
  • Cisco CCST Cybersecurity
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ISC2

  • ISC2 Certified in Cybersecurity
GIAC Logo

GIAC

  • GIAC Security Essentials Certification (GSEC)
Success Stories

Student Impact & Video Testimonials

Hear directly from program participants how the program changed their professional pathways.

Student Spotlight: Brian (Age 19)

Earning 11 Industry Certifications

Brian explains how diving deep into server labs and structured academy milestones enabled him to stack an impressive 11 industry-recognized certifications.

Multi-Cert Achiever
Student Spotlight: Gaven (Age 18)

Securing E-3 Rank in the Military Through Certifications

Gaven shares how earning industry-recognized certifications through the academy enabled him to secure an E-3 rank in the military at just 18 years old.

Academy Graduate & Military Achiever
Student Spotlight: Christian (Age 21)

Building a Clear Academic & Career Pathway

Christian, a KSU student, credits the supportive community, mentorship, and practical lab environments for giving him a clear roadmap for his future.

Professional Track Graduate
Student Spotlight: Kevonte (Age 18)

Applying Skills at Fulton County Schools

Kevonte details how he applies foundational technical skills learned in the program to excel in his work environment while smoothly transitioning toward cybersecurity.

Youth Mentorship Graduate
Student Spotlight: Benjamin (Age 18)

Securing an IT Administrator Role Before High School Graduation

Benjamin shares how hands-on lab training and real-world infrastructure practice enabled him to land his IT administrator role before even graduating from high school.

Academy Graduate & IT Professional
Student Spotlight

Achieving Excellence Through Hands-On Training

Hear how practical experience and dedicated mentorship pave the way for long-term technical achievement and career readiness.

Academy Success Story