Rising sophomores get tips from former Futures Academy students and EMERGE fellows

The journey from high school to college to a career can be challenging, but HISD’s Futures Academy is helping students develop the skills they’ll need to get there.

The Summer Bridge Program is arming rising high school sophomores with critical knowledge in the areas of time management, team building, communication, and money management. Four sessions are scheduled for June and feature classes taught by Futures Academy and EMERGE alumni.

“One way we thought this message would resonate with students is by having former HISD Futures Academy and EMERGE students returning from their first year in college lead the sessions,” said Michael Love, assistant superintendent of the Futures Academy. “This allows the students to learn directly from peers who recently walked the same hallways as them.”

During the four-day sessions, students participate in lessons as well as hands-on exercises to test their abilities. By the end of each session, students will be armed with an arsenal of useful skills, as well as strong connections forged with Futures Academy alumni, mentors, and peers from other parts of the district.

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The program aims to prepare a total of 235 students for college and beyond. Instructor Yessica Diaz, a Futures alumna and Texas A&M University student, explained that putting in the preparation now will make the future brighter.

“This is an opportunity that not every kid in Houston is getting,” said Diaz. “I didn’t have someone like they have now to talk to them about college, so the fact that I can come back and help these kids out and give them a heads up – it’s great gift; it’s a great opportunity.”

Participating campuses include Scarborough, Washington, Jones, Sterling, Long, Westside, Furr, and Kashmere high schools.