AJ Terrell Jr Academy

Empowering Atlanta’s Student-Athletes—On the Field, In the Classroom, and Beyond 

The Story Behind the Academy 

As a student-athlete growing up in Atlanta, AJ Terrell Jr. understood early on the delicate balance between chasing athletic dreams and meeting academic expectations.  

With the pressures of performance, the weight of family responsibilities, and the systemic challenges facing underserved communities, many of his peers didn’t make it to the next level—not because of a lack of talent, but because of a lack of support. 

That’s why he founded AJ Terrell Jr. Academy—to bridge the gap for students who are often overlooked, under-supported, and overextended. Launched in 2023 under the AJ Terrell Jr. Foundation, the Academy is a year-round program designed to ensure student-athletes are equipped to succeed far beyond game day. 

Group of five young boys and one man standing outdoors in front of a branded backdrop, wearing matching white T-shirts with yellow, red, and black text that reads 'Cheese Steaks for Change'. The man holds a football, and one boy flexes his arm. The scene appears to be from a community event on a sunny day with green trees in the background.

MEET the AJT Academy

The AJ Terrell Jr. Academy is a school-based leadership and academic coaching program that serves high school student-athletes in under-resourced communities. We embed trained Academic Athletic Coaches directly into schools to work one-on-one with students on academic progress, time management, college planning, and life skills. 

Our approach is rooted in three core pillars: 

  1. Academic Support: Personalized guidance to maintain eligibility and improve GPA 

  1. Leadership Development: Life skills training, mentorship, and identity-building 

  1. Post-Secondary Planning: Exposure to college, career, and community opportunities 

We don’t just help students stay in the game—we help them build a life beyond it. 

Who We Serve 

Why This Program Is Needed 

Our Impact (So Far)

Innovation in Year Two 

As a student-athlete growing up in Atlanta, AJ Terrell Jr. understood early on the delicate balance between chasing athletic dreams and meeting academic expectations. With the pressures of performance, the weight of family responsibilities, and the systemic challenges facing underserved communities, many of his peers didn’t make it to the next level—not because of a lack of talent, but because of a lack of support. 

That’s why he founded AJ Terrell Jr. Academy—to bridge the gap for students who are often overlooked, under-supported, and overextended. Launched in 2023 under the AJ Terrell Jr. Foundation, the Academy is a year-round program designed to ensure student-athletes are equipped to succeed far beyond game day. 

The statistics tell a sobering story: 

  • Only 55% of Atlanta Public Schools students graduate on time (vs. 85% nationally) 

  • Less than 10% of student-athletes in low-resourced schools have access to structured mentorship 

  • Over 60% of urban high school students report high levels of stress, anxiety, or depressive symptoms 

  • Many promising student-athletes lose eligibility due to poor academic performance and lack of support 

Sports often open doors—but without academic stability, those doors close quickly. The AJT Academy is here to keep them open. 

Since launching in 2023, the Academy has: 

  • Supported over 600 student-athletes across two high schools 

  • Enabled 90% of participants to maintain academic eligibility 

  • Helped students achieve an average 25% GPA improvement over baseline 

  • Delivered over 400 hours of academic coaching, mentorship, and workshops 

  • Hosted leadership sessions with professional athletes, coaches, and educators 

  • Connected students with college tours, NIL readiness tools, and financial literacy education 

And we're just getting started. 

As we enter Year 2 of the Academy, we are introducing: 

  • Team Excel: A digital platform that gamifies student performance, tracking GPA, attendance, and goal completion 

  • The Student Emergency Fund: A rapid-response support system for students facing personal, academic, or financial crises 

  • A revised program framework: With clearer expectations, better training, and stronger accountability at the school level 

A group of four people, two cheerleaders in black and gold uniforms with 'ASTROS' on their tops, and two men, one wearing a 'CHEESESTEAKS FOR CHANGE' T-shirt and the other in a black and yellow football jersey with the number 90, standing together ou

Our Vision 

We believe student-athletes deserve more than a scholarship dream—they deserve systems that help them succeed no matter what path they take. Our goal is to expand the AJT Academy to serve 1,500+ students across 5 schools by 2026 and to build a model that can be replicated statewide. 

We envision a future where: 

  • Coaches are mentors, not just managers 

  • Students are known for their leadership, not just their stats 

  • School communities are empowered to support the whole athlete 

Smiling young man outdoors with trees and buildings in background.