4th Year at The Academy

We have reimagined 4th Year not as a break from learning, but as the launchpad for Senior Cycle success. Effectively creating a three-year preparation period for the Leaving Certificate, our programme allows students to consolidate core subjects and plug any gaps from the Junior Cycle. 4th Year students will enjoy approximately 25 hours of tuition each week, will sit Christmas and Summer exams, and receive regular progress reports, giving clear insight into academic performance and personal growth.

Our 4th Year programme eliminates the academic regression often seen in traditional Transition Year programmes. Instead of "going backwards," our students gain a strategic advantage: three full years of contact time with our expert teachers. We use this time to solidify core knowledge and resolve any difficulties carried over from the Junior Cycle, allowing students to enter 5th Year with a significantly stronger academic base, perfectly positioning them to maximise their Leaving Cert performance.

Our 4th Year is about expanding horizons. We ensure no time is wasted by offering a suite of dynamic modules designed to build the "soft skills" universities and employers look for. Students engage in Personal Development, Public Speaking, Budgeting, and Community Engagement programmes, alongside practical First Aid and Nutrition workshops.

However, we also know that 4th Year is a time to bond and make memories. We ensure a vibrant student life through Drama, Chess & Bridge, and active clubs like 5-A-Side Football and the Workout Club, rounded off with regular off-campus excursions to Jump Zone, the Cinema, and cultural sites.

At The Academy, students are treated as young adults, fostering an environment defined by mutual respect rather than "silly rules." With no uniform and a flexible timetable that includes built-in study periods, students are encouraged to take ownership of their own learning. This approach builds the vital life skills that textbooks cannot teach: resilience, time management, and self-discipline. We provide the freedom to grow, backed by a dedicated support team to ensure no student is left behind.

While we encourage autonomy, our students are never left to navigate this journey alone. Our 4th Year programme is backed by a dedicated team specifically assigned to this year group, ensuring every student feels seen, heard, and valued. We take a proactive approach to student welfare, monitoring both academic progress and personal wellbeing. With an open-door policy and regular check-ins, our staff provides the safety net students need to build resilience and confidence, ensuring they remain happy, focused, and on track for the Senior Cycle.

Our state-of-the-art, campus in the heart of Blackrock offers a unique educational setting that blends high-performance learning with student wellbeing. We understand that to excel academically, students need an environment that is calm, comfortable, and free from distraction.

Every aspect of our purpose-built facility—from the fully fitted science laboratory and bright, spacious classrooms to the quiet, supervised study hall—is engineered to foster focus and academic discipline. However, we also prioritise the student experience. A large, welcoming common area provides a space for students to relax, socialise, and recharge between classes.

Located just 500 metres from Blackrock DART station with excellent bus links, our campus is not only easily accessible but situated in a vibrant village setting that inspires maturity and personal growth.