An Achievable Dream is a unique partnership between Newport News Public Schools, the City of Newport News, and the local business community to give our students who are at risk of failure in school due to socioeconomic factors, a chance to succeed.  Students in kindergarten through 12th grade are offered a quality education in a nurturing environment as well as the opportunity to develop meaningful relationships with caring adults.

Support from the business community allows us to offer more access to “tools for success” and opportunities for our students who would not otherwise have them. Small class size and low student-to-teacher ratio assure students the individual attention they deserve.  And with the support of the business community, more computers are available for our students’ use in the school, which gives them a step-up in technology.

All students are required to take tennis instruction. Tennis is a life-long game that teaches good sportsmanship,  personal development, and tactics and strategy that students can enjoy at any age. Tennis teaches discipline, fairness, and other life-skills that help them succeed

CHARACTER EDUCATION

Character Education is the foundation of An Achievable Dream Academy and is taught every day.   Banners with motivational phrases and the well-defined rules of the school are hung throughout the school building.  Guest speakers and extracurricular activities are planned around character development themes such as integrity, honesty, respect for oneself and others, and self discipline.  As a national award winner for our Character Education Program, we strive to develop the skills that a student needs to be a successful, responsible adult. This could not be done without our unique partnership with the City of Newport News, Fort Eustis Army Base, and the business community

FAMILY ENGAGEMENT

Shirley Smith is the Parent Involvement Specialist at An Achievable Dream Academy in Newport News, Virginia.  She has 6 years of experience as a Parent Involvement Specialists and is an active member of the National Network of Partnership Schools. Ms. Smith has implemented several successful events through her parent involvement programs. One in particular is the Father/Son Book Club. This book club provides an opportunity for fathers and sons to read and discuss a book selected by Ms Smith with the support of the school’s librarian and literacy team.   Fathers and sons are able to keep the books they read together.  What a wonderful home school connection this event creates.

An Achievable Dream Academy is one of two model sites for the Family Engagement & Career Center (FECC).  The mission of the FECC is to make information on family resources (i.e. health, food, and shelter), education and work accessible and useful to families within Newport News Public Schools. Ms. Smith’s increased visibility in the front of the building provides a comfortable welcome to parents visiting the Family Engagement & Career Center. Parents sign-in to review job postings, use the computers to search for jobs or information to support their child’s school work, and even research college information for their student and themselves.  Computer classes, resume writing, and job readiness skills are also taught to help empower parents. Resource information is often shared one on one and posted is a visible location for parents to review.

Ms Smith also offers academic workshops in literacy and math.  These workshops are often integrated with technology and held throughout the year.  In addition to the academic workshops Ms Smith hosts and supports several community events such as a community basketball game, parent focus groups, annual Mother/Daughter Breakfast, Father/Son Breakfast, and Body Works Training.