BROWNSVILLE, Texas - The PossAble Dream Adult High School says it has the possibility of empowering close to one-third of the adult population in South Texas, thus boosting both individual outcomes and community resilience.
The reason it makes this claim is based on these numbers: 29.5 percent of adults in McAllen/Edinburg/Mission do not have a high school diploma; 27.1 percent of adults in Brownsville/Harlingen do not have a high school diploma; and 29.5 percent of adults in Laredo do not have a high school diploma.
The high school has been specifically designed to support adult learners aged 18 to 50. In other words, those who face the challenge of balancing education with work and family responsibilities. Not only can those adult learners graduate from high school, they can also secure a high school graduation post-secondary career certification.
Currently, the PossAble Dream Foundation has set up campuses in Pharr, Brownsville, and Laredo.
Here is an in-depth interview the Rio Grande Guardian secured with Darcia Cuellar, superintendent of the PossAble Dream High School:
In here interview with the Guardian, Cuellar said the PossAble Dream High School Foundation is “really excited to bring this opportunity down to South Texas.”
She explained: “It's a very unique school that's purposely aimed to serve adults between the ages of 18 and 50. We take a lot of things into account. We grandfathered their graduation so as students that were in high school back in 2002, we grandfathered that clause, and gave them credit for anything they earned back in high school. So we leverage all that we can to support the students, for them to graduate.”
Asked what the culture at the school is like, Cuellar said:
“We always want to make sure that we keep three things in mind. One, that the student feels that they belong. Two, that they're safe, and three, that they're wanted. So, with in mind, we want to make sure that we create a positive environment where, like I said, they feel welcomed.”
Cuellar continued: “Previously, perhaps, it (high school) wasn't a good experience for them. So we want to make sure that it becomes a good experience. It is about building that trust and confidence in students to return to school.”
Asked about growing the project, Cuellar said:
“We believe we're going to continue to grow. One of the things we did is get permission in our designation from the Texas Education Agency to service this year up to 900 students. And so for the 900 we've had already over one thousand pre-register.
“The work comes in when you reach back out to the students and then have conversations about convincing them to return to school, that we're going to provide them all that kind of support. So it's kind of like, they want to take the step, but then it's also us convincing them to take that step.
“So, the work in the last four months has been reaching out to students who showed interest and pre-registered.
Asked what the biggest challenge to opening the Brownsville school, Cuellar said:
“I guess the challenge has been, maybe, to get the word out to students about the opportunity. At our Pharr location, we're close to about 250 students. At this location we're just at 65. We have to get the word out and let them know that we're flexible, that we know that there are adults that are trying to balance school and home and family. So, it is about us teaching them that all the juggling and time management and so forth, can be done.”
Asked what feedback the school has received from potential adult learners, Cuellar said:
“Once they're here, and they believe in the work and they start seeing the support we provide, they're just ecstatic. They just they cannot believe it and they're very grateful.
“One of the things that we've seen so much of is that they are grateful for the opportunity. I don't think any of them has taken it for granted. Once they step in here we coach them, we tell them, this is something you can do, that you can overcome. We have support, student support coaches, success coaches, that remove those barriers.”
Asked for any wrap-up remarks, Cuellar said:
“Students, if you're interested in coming to school and think that it's not something that's possible, it is possible. With the PossAble Dream, take the chance, make the phone call, get online, just reach out, and we'll show you how easy this is done. That it is within reach. Many times we think it isn't, but it is. It's so just make the call and we'll support them in whatever they need.”
