Joseph Littles-Nguzo Saba Charter School

JLNSCS Notable Graduates

Alia M. Bougouneau – a student that has overcome great medical challenges because she believed in herself and to never ever give up. Learning about those whose back she stood upon, she learned not to let their struggles to be in vain.

After retention and having little success on the FCAT, Alia arrived at JLNSCS and research showed that the measures to protect her as a medically disabled student were not in place.  With her mother, a teacher at our school, Alia was able to thrive and gain confidence in her abilities.  She was able to achieve success, which allowed her stress level to diminish.  Although in the traditional setting many of the basics of her education were over looked, at JLNSCS Alia was able to receive lots of one-on-one and enrichment to move her forward. 

Although she has spent an equal amount of time hospitalized as she has at home, Alia will be entering Palm Beach Community College, and later to Bethune Cookman University where she plans to study pre-Law and Voice.

Louis Jean Baptiste graduated from the second graduating class at the Joseph Littles Nguzo Saba Charter School. He came to the school with a long record filled with disciplinary problems. After a few years spent at the Nguzo Saba School, Louis moved to central Florida where he completed a four-year high school regiment in three years, while graduating with honors. In the fall Louis will be attending Florida A & M University on a scholarship. Louis looks forward to becoming successful at whatever he decides to do so he can help other Black children gain opportunities to break the cycles of poverty for their families.

Travis Daris graduated in the first Graduating class at the Joseph Littles Nguzo Saba Charter School. He attended John I. Leonard where he was a big-time running back. In the 2008-2009 school year he scored 16 touchdowns. He plays offense and defense and hopes to one day play in the NFL. Travis will be attending Highland college in Kansas where he will continue his football career.

Diriki Taylor Geuka is a special case. He was the first child enrolled in the Nguzo Saba Charter School, and the first to graduate in its first graduating class as the Valedictorian. The following year he attended Dreyfoos School of the Arts, one of the top 20 schools in the United States as a Communications major, where he received his four-year high school diploma. His HPA during his senior year was over a 4.2, and in the fall he will be attending Florida A & M University on a Presidential Scholarship. His resume is lengthy and his credentials are admirable, and he looks to influence the world in a positive manner.

Andrew Julius is recent high school graduate receiving a Math award, currently works in an attorney’s office and on his way to Florida State University in the fall.

When Andrew arrived at JLNSCS in his 4th grade year, the School District of Palm Beach County had already labeled him as ESE, Exceptional Student Education, identified as one that could not read and would not be able to go beyond a 2nd or 3rd grade level.  In less than one year at our school, we were able to have the label removed and that school year Andrew scored the highest in the school on the FCAT Reading, Florida Comprehensive Achievement Test, as well as, passing the FCAT Math and the FCAT Writes both with outstanding scores.

Andrew has gone on to achieve the recognition in the National Honors Society, leadership in Jr.

ROTC,  Math awards, pre-Law department of his high school and others, just to name a few.  He has accepted a full 4-year scholarship at Florida State University where he will be studying Political Science before embarking on a degree in Law with a concentration in U.S. Government & Constitutional Law.  His dream is to be the youngest African-American Chief Justice on the U.S. Supreme Court. 

JLNSCS Family Profiles

The Hobbs Family

Ms. LaShawn Hobbs has sent six of her children to Joseph Littles NGUZO SABA Charter School.

“My children are here because this school is a real opportunity for them.  They seem to be learning much better here than in the other schools they attended.  My children were attending a traditional public school and the teachers actually told me that my children were going to fail.

“My children have really improved since they left the regular public school and enrolled at Joseph Littles-NGUZO SABA Charter School.  Their behavior has improved and I believe that part of it is due to the small class size.  In large classes the teacher can only do so much.  I n a small class setting, the teacher can have more understanding of what’s going on in the classroom.

My children really like school now.  My girls don’t want to miss a day because they are so excited about the dance classes that they are having.  My oldest boy is taking drama and he seems to be more enthused about school because he has something to look forward to.

The Thompson Family

Mrs. Paula Thompson is a working mother of three children who graduated from the school, and one who is currently enrolled there. She strongly believes that the teaching style and uniqueness of the charter school has brought her children much more educational success than regular public school. She is active in school life of children. She says, "Someone told me about the school, and when my children went there, I felt like I was a part of a family who were committed to taking care of my children. Alex started in 4th grade. His grades were great. He has always has been a good student. We moved from New York, and liked this school much better. He is in 11th grade, and he wants to go to college and study Marine Biology."

"Mr. Geuka is like a father to the children,'' she said. "And the staff pays close attention to each child's individual needs. They act as parent substitutes."