Western Academy at the Neblett is off to a successful start.

As of Saturday, Nov. 23, the H.L. Neblett Community Center pilot program has a month under its belt.

Twenty “scholars” enrolled in the inaugural class. A few opted out during the first month.

“I was very pleased with 20,” said Olga McKissic, Neblett Community Center’s executive director. “I feel like the number (of scholars) we received is what we were supposed to receive. I put this in God’s hands. We got the number we were supposed to have.”

Western Academy accepts black boys only in the third, fourth, fifth, and sixth grades. They attend two-hour sessions a couple of Saturday mornings each month. The project-based academic program focuses on science, math, technology, English and life skills.

The program is designed to help close the academic gap that exists for children of color.

“We are here for empowerment, encouragement, restoration and enrichment,” McKissic said. “We are supporting the Monday through Friday schooling they get.”