OUR LEGACY

We fulfill this vision and mission by providing students with the legal content knowledge, intellectual skills, and cognitive tools necessary to excel as future scholars, leaders, and social change agents. The Pre-Law Academy concentrates on enhancing critical thinking, oral communication, and writing skills, and provides meaningful opportunities for youth leadership training and development; encouraging effective and informed civic participation and community service, and exposure to traditional and non-traditional career opportunities that exist within the legal field. The Pre-Law Academy aims to be at the forefront of transforming the middle school, pre-law studies education in Palm Beach County. With an eye toward better preparing our Pre-Law Academy students for the 21st century, our impetus is to get our students more excited about pursuing careers in the legal field at the intersection of civics and advocacy.

OUR GOALS

Imagine a comprehensive magnet program where every student is valued; where every eligible student takes advanced courses in academic areas. The Pre-Law Academy at Jeaga Middle School emphasizes the three Rs: Rigor, Relevance and Relationships. The Pre-Law Academy serves as a school within a school.

The Pre-Law Academy at Jeaga Middle School provides a fundamental understanding of the American legal system from a variety of perspectives, both civil and criminal. Students develop an appreciation of essential historical information concerning the development of the American legal system and the working structure of our government. Students gain an understanding of procedural issues in the courts, specific concepts of law, e.g., contract law, property law, etc., the distinctive characteristics of criminal law and procedure, and finally, the roles of various legal professionals and the effect of legal ethics on the practice of law. Students intent on pursuing advanced legal courses develop a solid foundation in the American legal system. Moreover, this program also provides a functional appreciation for students of other disciplines with regard to the impact of the legal system on their lives and chosen disciplines.

Upon successful completion of the Pre-Law Academy, students will be able to:

• change their lives after being introduced to the law, legal analysis, and critical thinking.

• appreciate contemporary positive role models, legal professionals, and community leaders.

• further their professional development as pre-law students through their learning of the law.

• explain the differences in various forms of legal authority.

• apply statutory, judicial, and administrative law appropriately to fact patterns.

• explain the steps of legal analysis in the review of case and statutory law.

• discuss various positions of a legal argument by reviewing case law and case briefs.

• analyze the role and evolution of ethical standards as they pertain to the various professions in the American legal system.

• analyze the historical development of various areas of substantive law, including tort law, business law and criminal law.

• describe, analyze, and anticipate legal issues in a business environment.

• analyze contemporary legal issues in the state, federal, and administrative law forums.

• analyze issues by application of relevant rules of law, ethical standards, and social norms.

• develop concise legal arguments.

• describe need for effective planning in preparation for the negotiation process.

• analyze current legal issues and topics from social, cultural and political perspectives; and apply specific legal principles to real-life situations.