Recognizing the need for children to receive extra exposure to academics, particularly math and reading, the Miami HEAT has embraced the importance of providing children with the opportunity to have quality after-school programs in South Florida.

Through a collaborative partnership with Miami-Dade County Public Schools and the HEAT Group corporate partners, the Miami HEAT has teamed up to facilitate HEAT Academy at three local inner city schools, Paul Laurence Dunbar Elementary, Little River Elementary, and Riverside Elementary. At HEAT Academy students practice math and reading skills through a unique curriculum that introduces hands-on thematic lessons; get assistance with homework; have a safe place to be when their parents are not available; and most importantly, learn from positive role models who inspire kids to excel. Students selected to be part of the program are often the lowest performing academic students in the school. By having focused our efforts on these students, we have made significant improvements to their scores. We were proud to announce that for the first time in the history of the HEAT Academy, one of our schools reached an “A” status. Riverside Elementary, through the on-going work of the administration, teachers and students and with the support of the HEAT Academy, made tremendous strides and improved from an FCAT School Grade of “D” in 2001 to a prestigious “A” in 2006.

The HEAT Academy is thrilled to have Carnival Cruise Lines as its presenting sponsor and additional corporate sponsors in Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida and Lifetime Products. We are grateful for their commitment to education and for helping to improve the educational outlook of our students in need.

Program Duration: Academic School Year