The PRIDE Academy offers students an opportunity to obtain their high school diploma in a non-traditional setting. PRIDE stands for Personal Responsibility In Daily Effort.
Students do not attend PRIDE academy because of discipline issues. Rather, some students are faced with life challenges that are above and beyond the normal circumstances for a student. Other students joined PRIDE in order to graduate early to join military service or, in one case, a student who was taking care of an elderly grandparent. The PRIDE Academy allows these students to complete their graduation requirements while caring for their children or work to support their families.
PRIDE students are very motivated and work hard. Since the program’s inception in 2012, sixty-four students have successfully reached their goal of receiving their high school diploma and, sixteen students are expected to graduate this school year. District Administrators credit the program for reaching many students who otherwise would not have graduated. QISD’s dropout rate is below the state average because of the PRIDE program. Ninety-six percent of PRIDE students have graduated with a high school diploma.
“After being in education for twenty-nine years, I can say working with the PRIDE Academy has been one of the most rewarding experiences in my career”, said Mr. Tull, Director of the PRIDE Academy. “I am proud to see the students overcome many tough life circumstances and earn their diplomas. We find a way to make each student successful in QISD, and the effort our district puts forth has paid off for the lives and futures of the students we have helped.”
Michael Tull
Director of PRIDE Academy