Donation to Four Schools in the Community
GLAD Academy donated $6,000 to support STEM and cultural initiatives in community schools, furthering its mission to promote education and cross-cultural understanding.
Naperville Central High School
GLAD Academy is committed to increasing diversity in STEM by breaking cultural stereotypes and expanding opportunities for underrepresented students. Its founder, Nina Zhan, captain of her school’s Science Olympiad and Science Bowl teams, noticed a lack of diversity in these fields at her school, which has 2,551 students. Many talented students, especially from underrepresented backgrounds, face exclusion due to cultural biases and limited representation. To drive change, GLAD Academy has made impactful donations and launched initiatives to create lasting opportunities.
Kennedy Junior High School
GLAD Academy has contributed funding to STEM initiatives, providing crucial support for educational programs, that inspire the next generation of innovators. GLAD has helped expand access to quality STEM education and foster a culture of scientific curiosity. Located in Lisle, Illinois, Kennedy Junior High School, a magnet school with approximately 931 students in grades 6-8, benefits from a robust Gifted & Talented program and the Project Lead The Way curriculum, fostering a strong foundation in STEM education.
Madison Junior High School
GLAD Academy supported STEM initiatives to provide underrepresented students with tools and opportunities to explore STEM fields, cultural initiatives to promote inclusion/address prejudices such as microaggressions, and to ensure that economically disadvantaged students are not left behind in pursuing their academic dreams.
Meadow Glens Elementary School
GLAD Academy is funding STEM and Social Studies programs at Meadow Glens to foster early interest in STEM and break down racial biases for future generations. Its founder, Nina Zhan, first began Science Olympiad in elementary school and was nominated as the Mission Maker of the entire school district. Her principal stated, “Nina is a positive role model for all students. She leads by example and her actions. Further, she is intrinsically motivated to make a difference in the world. She exemplifies characteristics that show strength beyond the classroom and are essential for success in our global world.” GLAD Academy’s dedication to education and equity continues, empowering young minds beyond the classroom.
Donation to 7 Schools in the Community
GLAD Academy donated 282 of 3,020 bilingual Audiobooks to the Title I elementary schools
GLAD Academy aims to bridge educational equity gaps and ensure that all children, regardless of background, have access to culturally rich and diverse learning resources. By prioritizing schools with higher populations of low-income students –
- Beebe Elementary School
- Elmwood Elementary School
- Mill Street Elementary School
- Naper Elementary School
- Scott Elementary School
- Steeple Run Elementary School
- Meadow Glen Elementary School
Donation to 12 Libraries in the Community
GLAD Academy donated 423 of 3,020 bilingual Audiobooks books as part of a cultural initiative
GLAD Academy has generously donated 423 bilingual audiobooks to benefit families and young readers across the community. Special thanks to Naperville Public Library for their support in distributing these audiobooks to 11 additional libraries in the region.
These bilingual audiobooks are narrated and translated by Nina Zhan, Founder and President of GLAD Academy, an officially commissioned audiobook narrator known for elevating books to bestseller status. Through this initiative, these audiobooks will be used in the World Language Program to promote linguistic diversity and accessibility, impacting millions of individuals. those libraries are
Naperville Public Library
Nichols Public Library
95th Street Library
Algonquin Area Public Library
Downers Grove Public Library
Glen Ellyn Public Library
Harper College Library
Huntley Area Public Library
Niles-Maine District Library
Palatine Public Library District
Skokie Public Library
Tinley Park Public Library
Donation for Orphans Adopted by U.S. Families
GLAD Academy provides funding to support cultural and educational programs
Support Cultural Equity: Empower Every Voice
GLAD Academy Donates to Four Facilities to Champion Cultural Equity
In celebration of our mission to foster inclusive, compassionate, and empowered communities, GLAD Academy is proud to donate to four local facilities that are actively working to promote cultural equity and access to education.
