Three adult high schools to open across South Texas

PHARR, Texas (ValleyCentral) — There will soon be a new option for adults to get their high school diplomas.

The PossAble Dream Foundation will open three campuses across South Texas to help residents fulfill their educational dreams.

Three PossAble Dream Adult High Schools are set to open in August, aligning roughly with other local school calendars.

The schools will serve community members aged 18 to 50 years, who want to earn their high school diplomas and pursue college or technical training opportunities.

Darcia Cuellar is a Region One employee and the superintendent of schools.

“As industry looks, and sets their eyes on South Texas, if we can have an educated, well-rounded community, and population here to work, we’re going to draw those employers and big businesses over to the Valley,” Cuellar said.

The schools will be located in Brownsville, Pharr, and Laredo. Cuellar said, “These three have been identified as one of the least educated cities in the U.S.”

Region One agreed with the city of Pharr to host its campus at the Pharr Events Center.

The building will also serve as the administrative headquarters for the school.

This comes after the city donated $1 million for the PossAble Dream Adult High School. Cuellar said that money was used to hire staff and purchase equipment for the school. Funding from the state won't be granted to the schools based on the Average Daily Attendance formula.

Cuellar cited information related to South Texas Metropolitan Statistical Areas and the Regional Report issued by the Texas Comptroller's office to argue that the need for this program is undeniable.

“If we look at the 8 counties of south Texas, all of them will range between 27% and 31% of adults not having a high school diploma, and that’s high," Cuellar said, "Throughout the state, the average is about 10%.”

This is the third charter the Texas Education Agency has approved for servicing adult students. The other two programs are located in Austin and Fort Worth. Each of the three South Texas campuses will be able to accommodate 300 students, offering morning, afternoon, and evening classes.

“Each student there will have a very personalized, individual educational plan. So that plan will involve where they’re at, and where they want to go.”

As part of their application for state approval, the PossAble Dream Foundation was required to offer wraparound services for students, such as transportation assistance and on-site daycare. They must also connect them with employers once they've graduated or earned an accreditation or certificate. S

Cuellar said she wants to make sure the schools are a place students want to come back to. That is where, once they may have failed, they now have the confidence to succeed.

“This is the kind of job that you would do for free. It’s just so gratifying to change the lives of these students, and seeing the improvements in their lives, and in the community,” Cuellar said.

Pre-registration for the upcoming school year is now open. Anyone interested in getting more information can visit their Facebook page or call (956) 213-6888.