The formal Cotillion served as a milestone celebration for students involved in two of the school's premier mentorship programs: B.A.E. (Beauties Achieving Excellence) and B.A.T.S. (Brothers Avoiding the System). Organized by seventh-grade ELA teacher Jamilla Cleveland, the evening was the culmination of months of intense student preparation, community collaboration, and personal transformation.
The Vision Behind the Ball
The event was designed to be far more than a typical school dance. It was built as a meaningful rite of passage to teach middle school students that they belong in spaces of achievement and elegance.
"The name ‘The Legacy Ball’ was chosen intentionally because this event was about much more than one evening of elegance," Ms. Cleveland explained. "It is about creating a tradition that students will remember long after they leave Apex Academy. We wanted our students to understand that legacy is not something you inherit, it is something you build through your character, choices, and contributions to others."
This intentional focus on character development seamlessly weaved into Apex Academy’s broader National Heritage Academies® (NHA®) Moral Focus™ curriculum, which emphasizes virtues like respect, integrity, and self-control in everyday student life.
Weeks of Hard Work and High Standards
Before the students ever stepped foot onto the ballroom floor, they had to put in the work. Weeks leading up to the event were filled with rigorous workshops. Students attended formal etiquette classes, intensive choreography rehearsals, leadership discussions, and team-building activities. They also engaged in community service projects to reinforce the importance of giving back.
For middle school students, stepping so far outside of their normal comfort zones brought initial moments of hesitation and nerves.
"We constantly reminded them that growth happens outside of their comfort zones," Ms. Cleveland noted. "As the weeks went on, they began encouraging one another, celebrating small successes, and taking pride in their progress. Watching them transform from hesitant participants into confident young leaders was one of the most rewarding parts of the process."
The program pushed students to understand that presentation is only part of the equation; true leadership requires an internal standard of excellence.
"While the dances and formal presentation were important, the skills I was most focused on teaching were confidence, accountability, respect, and self-discipline," said Ms. Cleveland. "I wanted students to understand that true elegance is reflected in how you treat others and how you carry yourself every day."
A Night of True Transformation
When the doors finally opened, the hours of preparation paid off. Dressed in formal attire, the young men and women of B.A.E. and B.A.T.S. commanded the room with maturity and poise, moving many parents and staff members to tears.
"When the students entered the room, poised and confident, I felt an overwhelming sense of pride," Ms. Cleveland recalled. "I wasn't just seeing students dressed up for an event, I was seeing young people who had committed themselves to a process of growth and transformation."
A Deeply Moved Community
The impact on families and community members was immediate and profound. Parents expressed immense pride at seeing their children step up as leaders, demonstrating the social skills, public speaking abilities, and confidence they had cultivated throughout the semester.
The excitement has already rippled down to younger grades, with parents of elementary-aged students noting that their children are already eager to reach middle school just to participate in B.A.E., B.A.T.S., and the annual ball.
Ultimately, the grandest success of the evening was measured by how the students viewed themselves. Many walked away with a renewed sense of pride and a clear understanding of their own potential.
With the first Cotillion officially in the books, the event has successfully laid the groundwork for what promises to be a cherished, long-standing tradition at Apex.
"My hope is that this becomes a signature event at Apex Academy that future generations look forward to participating in," Ms. Cleveland said. "I want students to leave knowing that they are capable of excellence and that they have a responsibility to positively impact their families, schools, and communities."
Way to shine bright at Apex Academy!
About Apex Academy
Apex Academy is a tuition-free, public charter school in East Cleveland, Ohio, serving students in kindergarten through eighth grade. It is part of the National Heritage Academies (NHA®) network, which includes more than 100 tuition-free, public charter schools serving more than 65,000 students in kindergarten through high school across nine states. For more information, visit nhaschools.com.
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