For some people, graduating high school may seem like a common accomplishment. But for many youth in the Hilltop neighborhood, that diploma can feel out of reach. The non-profit, MY Project USA, is celebrating several teens who beat the odds and are now the first in their family to graduate high school. These teens have […]
Maddy R. had a tough childhood, being in foster care, living with various relatives and the ensuing trauma and anxiety that left her feeling lost. “Striving for academic success was the only thing that kept me alive for many years and this school sort of became my way out,” she explained. “I got the one-on-one […]
For the past century, educational communities have debated about how best to teach reading. Phonics was in…then it was out. Whole-word instruction replaced phonics and students continued to struggle. Today, reading instruction approaches still lack consistency across the nation and more startling, not all teachers are learning proper methods to teach students to read. School […]
For Gen Z teens, personalization is key in everything they do – from custom playlists and dynamic content to store suggestions based on prior purchases. And it’s not a trend, it’s fundamental to reaching this generation. Marketers understand and have pivoted to align with Gen Z’s values – things like authenticity, integrity, transparency and personalization. […]
Alexandria T.’s home life was rocky, and she struggled with mental health challenges, including ADHD, anxiety and depression. In high school, she got little support and found it hard to concentrate on studies. Instead of dropping out, she transferred to our school and finally received the help she needed. “Students in trauma respond in different […]
Students and parents acknowledged the dedication and hard work of teachers during Teacher Appreciation Week (May 6-11), but what are schools doing to attract and retain teachers? Schools nationwide are struggling to find teachers and 42 percent of schools feel understaffed. That number jumps to 57 percent in high poverty regions. It’s clear something needs […]
It seemed easy enough, get assigned a hypothetical salary and spend it on essentials, but for some of our students, a financial literacy event called Bite of Reality opened their eyes to the challenges of creating a budget and living within their means. Korina Echeverria, school counselor, explains how they partnered with a local credit […]
Summer H. is fascinated by the cognitive development of children – something she has been exploring in college dual enrollment classes while working toward her high school graduation. “We’re learning about the milestones in cognition for different age groups and how they tie to behavior patterns,” she said. “I want a career where I can […]
At her previous high school, Urseala was told many times by different teachers that she was a slow learner and wouldn’t be successful passing to the next grade. Fellow students made fun of her and while she was struggling to keep up, she found out she was pregnant and dropped out. At the suggestion of […]
When Tyreke J. saw a new barbershop open in his neighborhood, he noticed they didn’t have a logo. He knew he could design something eye catching. “So, I went in and told the owner that I was a graphic designer, and he should hire me for the job – and he did,” said Tyreke. “It […]