DALLAS — This past year has been tough on students who couldn’t physically learn in the classroom. On top of the pandemic, some students may have had to get a job to help support their families, making it impossible to attend school during the traditional hours. Dallas ISD’s Evening Academy gives these students the option to help overcome the obstacles to graduation with self-paced classes.
"Evening Academy is designed for students who are in ninth through twelfth grade who have either failed a course, are looking to get back on track towards graduation, or who want to accelerate,” Evening Academy administrator Erlene Williams said.
Evening Academy has been available at Dallas ISD for years, but the pandemic forced the program's staff to go virtual, making it even more imperative to get these students logged in to the class.
"We do have a track record. We typically have about 500 students per year who come through Evening Academy and can gain credits. I've had students who have been behind, several credits behind, and have taken up to eight courses through Evening Academy. I have students who have been able to accelerate their graduation who are close to graduation, and want to get a semester ahead,” Williams said.
One of the students trying to get to the finish line faster is Skyline High School student, America Alcaraz. She is on track to graduate ahead of her peers, taking these evening classes even after full school days on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday.
“I have class from 9:15 to 4:20. And then at 6, we go in for our Evening Academy, and we start working on our work," Alcaraz said. "I think everything has been working out pretty great. I've been keeping up with everything perfectly, and my attendance too. I love school."
Alcaraz said she is a student who thrives learning on her own time. Evening Academy lets students make up lost course credits through credit recovery courses, that return them to a four-year graduation path. But the program also allows students like Alcaraz to reach the goal of graduation quicker with original credit courses to earn credit for acceleration.
“I'm very grateful they had this as an option. I am really glad that I got to move forward a little bit quicker. Because I was not struggling throughout the year, but I felt like I was more advanced. Not in a way of learning, but I teach myself at home and then when it was time to go to school, I would already know it,” Alcaraz said. "If you are more of a self-taught person, and you think that you can progress better on your own, it’s for you. I am more of a self-taught person and self speed, so I move a little bit quicker than others. And I just love it.”
Roxanna Hooks has been teaching Evening Academy for three years now. Despite being all virtual this year, she’s still been able to connect with her students to give them encouragement.
"I have a great batch in Evening Academy. I mean, they're all dedicated. They're all sweet, patient, hard working. I'm always letting them know that I appreciate their hard work and that I see that they're committed. So I see a difference in the students,” Hooks said. "I'm not sure if it's because they like that they're completing the course in the comfort of their own home, but they are truly committed and working hard and I do appreciate them."
Hooks wishes more students would enroll in Evening Academy to get the chance to catch up, or to start their careers sooner. She said as long as there are students enrolled who want to put in the time and effort Evening Academy takes, there will be teachers there to support them.
“We're all committed, just as the students are. We're all fully committed. We all work hard. We're all there for the students, each and every one of us. And, you know, I wish and I hope that more students can take advantage of the program,” Hooks said.
Alcaraz is now a few steps closer to her dream career of becoming a veterinarian, all thanks to her Evening Academy coursework.
“My Evening Academy teacher, she's like, ‘She's really excited to graduate. She's really excited to graduate. And she just wants to finish.’ And I do because I want to continue to college and start off my career. I love animals and I want to learn more about them,” Alcaraz said.