Tech Center Research Park director, Jeff Johnson, had the opportunity to tour and learn more about An Achievable Dream Academy. An Achievable Dream is a unique partnership between Newport News Public Schools, the City of Newport News, and the local business community to give 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.

There are many programs offered to the students of An Achievable Dream. One of those being STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics). In Science, students learn about force, motion, and energy, earth patterns, cycles, and changes, weather information, animals and more. In Technology, students learn about SIRS databases, cybersecurity awareness, internet safety, and more. In engineering, students learn what an engineer is, different types of engineers, and the engineering design process and how it allows them to solve many problems. In Mathematics, students learn about money and savings accounts, general math, time and temperature, fractions and decimals, probability and statistics, measurement, and geometry.

An Achievable Dream Academy understands that students not only need to be successful academically to make a difference but socially as well. Jeff made a difference in many of the “Dreamers” lives simply by asking how they’re doing, shaking their hands, and telling them they’ll have a great day. Between the handshakes, morning program, and the social rotation classes he visited, Jeff was more than ready to have a successful day!