The Texas Legislature is actively focused on providing high school dropouts with essential skills to reenter the workforce.
New Heights High School’s Mission
FORT WORTH — In a recent session at New Heights High School, Tiphainne Wright found herself deeply engaged with “The Handmaid’s Tale,” a thought-provoking dystopian novel.
Before leaving class, she and her peers needed to identify a metaphor or motif from the text, a challenge that made her feel a bit anxious.
Despite her doubts about completing her education, Wright managed to find an example, presented it to her teacher, Mrs. Dory, and celebrated her effort with a fist bump.
At just 22 years old, Wright had dropped out during her junior year after becoming a mother.
The traditional school environment never worked for her; its chaotic atmosphere disrupted her learning.
Now, four years later, she is on a mission to earn her diploma so she can better support herself and her son.
New Heights afforded her the flexibility to attend classes in the afternoon and evening, ensuring she could still carve out quality time with her child, whom she hopes to inspire to aim for even greater achievements.
A Fresh Approach to Adult Education
Opened this year in collaboration with Tarrant County College, New Heights High School offers adults in similar situations the chance to obtain a high school diploma, along with vocational training—all at no cost.
This initiative is part of an overarching state strategy to help those who have exited the conventional education system find their footing again.
Students at New Heights come from varied academic backgrounds.
Many bring with them previously earned high school credits that contribute toward their diploma, typically achievable within two years while also gaining vocational skills through the community college.
In Texas, approximately one-sixth of adults have not graduated high school.
While many consider the General Equivalency Diploma (GED) as an alternative, interest in this route has been steadily declining over the past decade.
Impact on Lives and Communities
The lack of a high school diploma has a significant impact on Texans’ earning potential.
Statistics reveal that adults with diplomas make, on average, nearly 25% more than their peers without one.
Located in Stop Six—a predominantly Black, low-income neighborhood on the outskirts of Fort Worth—New Heights High School seeks to combat the cycle of poverty that hampers job prospects and lowers income for local families.
The area suffers from a lack of essential services like grocery stores and sizable employers, compounding these challenges.
Schnique Dory, an English teacher at New Heights, recalls her mother’s strong belief in steering clear of the pervasive issues facing their community.
As a first-generation college graduate, Dory returned home to educate others and give back to her neighborhood.
She hopes that through her teaching, she can spark generational change, helping students elevate their income and improve their circumstances.
The concept of adult high schools took root 11 years ago, beginning with a pilot program in Austin designed for 150 students.
In its early years, the initiative graduated 48 students in the first year and 61 in the second.
This success led lawmakers to formalize the adult charter high school model, complete with accountability standards aimed at adults from diverse educational backgrounds.
These charters, which receive public funding, operate tuition-free while still meeting many state requirements.
Recently, the Texas Legislature has authorized partnerships between adult high schools, community colleges, and nonprofit organizations, opening doors for additional funding and resources.
New Heights has embraced this opportunity, partnering with a community college to enhance credential offerings for its adult learners.
As more charter schools adopt this model, the established charter network ResponsiveEd plans to open adult high schools in 23 Texas cities.
Some critics argue that charter schools can divert resources away from traditional public ones, potentially affecting the quality of services offered to students in those districts.
However, Traci Berry, CEO of New Heights, asserts that the adult education model serves a unique demographic and that improving parents’ education ultimately benefits their children.
Gustavo Mora, 36, struggled to obtain his GED through various programs that lacked engagement.
He appreciates the personalized approach at New Heights, where teachers routinely check in on him to ensure he stays on track.
His journey through high school was fraught with challenges, including being expelled due to conflicts between work obligations and class attendance, driven by his responsibilities as a father.
Now, with a newfound focus on education, he balances studying with his work at an auto body shop.
His colleagues even alert him during class days if any emergencies arise, allowing him to remain committed to his coursework.
Each day, he strives to set an inspiring example for his six children, all while keeping his graduation goal in sight as a testament to their shared hopes.
Source: The74million