Dream big.
For the students and staff at An Achievable Dream, that is exactly what is happening. Every single day.
Referred to as Dreamers, students are taught that success is more than academics.
Lee Vreeland, Ed.D., president and CEO of An Achievable Dream
“Every student has the potential to do great things in life no matter their life circumstances,” said Lee Vreeland, Ed.D., president and CEO of the organization, “and we do whatever it takes to allow them to do just that. Our holistic approach to education emphasizes not only rigorous academics, but also includes physical and emotional components that allow us to constantly monitor, adapt and pivot to meet our students’ needs based on whatever is happening in their lives at any given moment.”
For the past three decades, the nationally recognized nonprofit has worked to level the playing field for K-12 students in primarily underserved communities throughout Newport News, Virginia Beach and Henrico County divisions by focusing on educating the whole child. Working in collaboration with representatives from area universities and colleges, the military, local businesses, municipal governments and law enforcement, the school is able to nurture relationships that set the tone for a lifetime of positive character development for the nearly 2,400 students currently enrolled in the program.
In addition to the strong emphasis on relationships, Vreeland said social-emotional and character development skills are woven throughout the specialized curriculum. Referred to as a SAME (social, academic and moral education) framework, the curriculum includes not only the traditional subject learning blocks, but also classes and activities focused on ethics, etiquette, conflict resolution, healthy living, financial literacy and Speaking Green. Students are continually evaluated, providing their educators a chance to provide extra support when needed to ensure the students’ growth and success within the program. Vreeland said 100% of their students graduate high school and 95% of those students attend college.
The 200-day school year is augmented with a weekly Saturday school for small group interaction, a four-week summer intersession, immersive field trips and a daily morning program that reminds students of their school’s beliefs and their own personal expectations. Vreeland said even during the pandemic, daily interactions with family members and students occurred over video chat, home visits were conducted under COVID-19 protocol, and student progress was monitored closely. The school provided laptops to every student.
“Our educational and data-driven framework places an unwavering emphasis on academic achievement and creates a unique culture of high expectations, emphasis on relationships, acceptance of every student and a family environment within a school,” Vreeland said. “We want our students to be successful beyond the classroom.”
Of all the activities in her busy schedule, Vreeland enjoys her daily interactions with the students the most.
“I want to hear what they have to say. There is no better way to shape and continue to improve this program than to hear suggestions and feedback directly from the students,” she said. “I doubt they even realize the enormous impact they have had on the success and longevity of this program.”
Since the program’s first graduating class, Vreeland said An Achievable Dream alumni are quick to return, giving back their time and financial support to the program. And as a staff member who has worked in multiple positions at the school for the past 26 years, Vreeland knows every one of them.
“We are a family,” Vreeland said.
A family of dreamers.
For more information on how to dream big, visit achievabledream.org.
