Midland ISD's Coleman High School provides an alternative pathway for students to graduate high school. This year, alongside 70 Coleman students, seniors from the district's other high schools will also be receiving their diplomas.
A press release from Midland ISD revealed that this year, students from Midland High and Legacy High were invited to participate in the program to ensure their timely graduation. The program allows students to partake in streamlined courses offered at Coleman while remaining enrolled at their home campus. Approximately 30 students from the district's two other schools attend Coleman every six weeks and have thus far recovered 411 half-credits. The curriculum is divided into halves to enable students to concentrate on credit recovery.
Coleman Principal Rebecca Medina stated, "These are students who had fallen behind and were not on pace to graduate on time." She further explained that Coleman specializes in providing an environment where students receive individualized attention and can focus solely on academics. "The last thing we want is for students to drop out, especially when they are so close to graduation. The ability to stay enrolled at their home campus is a real incentive to get them to do the work needed to finish their education - which will mean so much for their future."
According to a news release, seniors can regain pace for graduation during their six weeks at Coleman and then return to their home campus for the remainder of the school year. Students who participate in this program are expected to graduate with their respective classes in May. The self-paced nature of the program allows for graduation throughout the school year. Additionally, it prepares students for their careers as 97% of graduates meet College, Career, and Military Readiness (CCMR) requirements as stipulated by the state.
Shannon Torres, executive director of School Leadership said, "MISD pours into each of our students with the end goal of graduation and a successful future." She emphasized that "This FLEX program through Coleman is critical for helping many of our students reach that goal."