It almost feels like a holiday.
Store aisles are lined with black and gold decor, glittery graduation caps, golden tassels and gigantic “Congradulations” balloons. You’ll notice yards are proudly decorated with college flags and high school yard signs. Graduation ӽ紫ý is officially here, and it’s an accomplishment worth celebrating.
As a parent of three high school graduates, I still feel the well-deserved excitement. Twelve years is a long time in school, and it takes a lot of hard work to have the honor to receive that diploma in front of your classmates. How many term papers were written, math problems solved, books read, science projects completed and tests taken? A whole lot! And let’s be honest, most of those assignments were in subjects that didn’t interest your child.
So, it took a lot of effort to muscle through years of school work.
Many kids had additional challenges such as learning disabilities, illnesses, sports injuries, food insecurity and family issues.
As a parent, I was like, whew! Check that box. It’s not easy making sure your child stays on track, reaches their potential or gets the grades they need to pursue college if they so desire. I was very involved in the whole educational process.
This year, there’s a special graduating class in Virginia ӽ紫ý. The first class of Dreamers will graduate from An Achievable Dream Middle and High School on Wednesday.
An Achievable Dream brings equity to education by providing opportunities for success in school and life. The program focuses on students with the greatest social risk factors and supports the students’ social and emotional well-being, character development and academics. The extended academic time includes Saturday school, four-week summer intersession and an 8.5 hour day.
Unique elements enhance the traditional public school model with added field trips, clubs, daily handshakes and morning greetings from staff, visitors, law enforcement and military volunteers. The curriculum includes life skills such as etiquette, ethics, conflict resolution, mindfulness and healthy living.
An Achievable Dream was founded 32 years ago in Newport News and expanded to Virginia ӽ紫ý in 2014, where the program launched as a K-2 grade program at Seatack Elementary. Since its start, it’s been expanding one grade level per year. Now, it’s grades K-12 and partners with Virginia ӽ紫ý City Public Schools to operate grades K-5 at Seatack and 6-12 at Lynnhaven.
There are 27 seniors in the graduating class. All will graduate on time, and 82% will graduate with an Advanced Studies diploma. Some of the graduates’ plans include attending college at William & Mary, Penn State, Virginia Tech, Longwood and other colleges.
When the students were asked about their experience at An Achievable Dream, several mentioned that they discovered their passions through the field trips and job shadow day.
“One of the things I love most about this program is that we have the unique opportunity to stay with our students through all the grade levels. With our program, the Dream is there with you the entire time,” said Lee Vreeland, president and CEO of An Achievable Dream.
“And that is a lesson I hope these graduates carry in their hearts as they walk across that graduation stage — that the Dream is there with them, no matter where they go, always. Once a Dreamer, always a Dreamer.”
Sometimes it takes a village to help kids graduate, and sometimes it takes a program like An Achievable Dream. At the end of the day, all graduates deserve to mark their special day with pomp and circumstance among their friends, family and support group. It’s a huge accomplishment for everyone involved.
I wish all the recent grads a lifelong journey in achieving their dreams.
