LA Galaxy open Blended Learning Environment with goal of creating the best academy in the United States

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"The LA Galaxy would like to one day have a first team made up primarily of graduates from the LA Galaxy Academy and this week, the club took a major step towards achieving that goal." informs Adam Serrano, LA Galaxy Insider. Read his blog at www.LAGalaxy.com/Insider.

The Galaxy’s new high school called the Blended Learning Environment opened its doors on Monday to 50 students of various high school grade levels who will make up the club’s U-16 and U-18 academy sides.

During the first week, the students were immersed in a professional environment. Whether it was an impromptu meeting with Alan Gordon at lunch or a talk with Steven Gerrard on the importance of playing for your boyhood club, the new program has already hit the ground running.

“It’s representative of a lot of people and a lot of work. We’ve put tremendous amount of resources in this,”

Photo: Peter Vagenas

Academy Director Peter Vagenas told LAGalaxy.com. “Obviously, seeing the sheer excitement and enthusiasm of not only the kids but the staff and the club has definitely generated a different buzz having our academy kids here throughout the day.

“It is the goal of any academy within in a club is to push a large number of kids into our first team and that is something that we are genuine in terms of our efforts,” he added. “We are in the ideal place to do this and in the right environment, it’s just a matter of getting it done, obviously getting kids immersed in a professional culture from 8am we believe will expedite that process.”

Like the rest of the students returning to school in the early fall, the members of the Blended Learning Environment are provided with the same type of educational opportunities as the rest of their peers—albeit with an extra emphasis on the beautiful game.

In the morning, the students train shortly after arriving at 8am and are then provided lunch before beginning several hours of classes led by specially hired faculty. After their classes, the program offers a flex time that allows the students to focus on school assignments or receive additional conditioning or technical work on the practice field.
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Steven Gerrard pays a visit to the LA Galaxy Academy |

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Source: LA Galaxy