Our Schools

An Achievable Dream Inc. operates schools to support students enrolled in the Dream. 

An Achievable Dream Academy at Dunbar-Erwin

The first school site for An Achievable Dream (AAD), the Academy has grown to support the many needs of Dreamers who have walked the halls since 1992.    Currently,  the Academy now houses kindergarten students through fifth graders.  

It is at this school that Dreamers and families are first introduced to the culture of the Dream.  

All students wear uniforms and are taught and shown the importance of an orderly appearance by our Army volunteers who participate at the school each day.   All Dreamers, including kindergartners, learn to shake hands properly by practicing each day upon entry.  Students are introduced to the school store and the concept of balancing a checkbook with deposits of earned merit points.  Academics are focused on bringing all students to their appropriate reading levels by 3rd grade.    Each Dreamer has a rigorous academic course schedule, while also attending classes in Etiquette, SpeakingGREEN, Peaceful Conflict Resolution and Healthy Living. 

An Achievable Dream Middle & High School

The newest facility to join An Achievable Dream, the Middle & High School houses sixth through twelfth graders.  The Middle & High School builds on the basic citizenship and behavior traits taught at the Academy and continues at an age appropriate manner to ensure our students create a productive future.   Social classes continue at the Middle and High School and incorporate WritingGREEN, Financial Know-How, Ethics and Corporate Etiquette.

Heritage High School

Part of the Newport News Public School System, Heritage High School is a comprehensive high school that houses current eleventh and twelfth grade Dreamers.   Prior to opening the Middle & High School location, Dreamers began at Heritage in the ninth grade as a school within a school.   Additional counselors, teachers and administrators are located at Heritage to support the needs of enrolled Dreamers.

Dreamer College Community

Each year, on average 90% of our Dreamers attend college after high school graduation.  It is through the collective energy from the many college locations that we have "Virtual Dreamer" locations.   College Dreamers continue to live by the tenets of An Achievable Dream - live drug free, crime free, and not get pregnant or father a child - throughout their college career.  Supported by college counselors and career directors, these students maintain close contact with An Achievable Dream and each other.  

Newport News Public Schools

An Achievable Dream works in partnership with Newport News Public Schools.  As a part of the public school system, all of AAD's schools must comply with local, state, and federal guidelines for success and student achievement.   From the first days of An Achievable Dream, the City of Newport News and the Newport News Public School System and school board have been superior partners of the program.

An Achievable Dream Saturday School

Saturday School is a supplemental educational opportunity for those students that need additional academic resources.  Focused heavily on raising reading levels, Saturday School allows teachers to work individually with students who need additional resources to meet their goals.

Thomas Nelson Community College Southeast Campus

In partnership with Thomas Nelson Community College, An Achievable Dream provides a facility for college level courses taught in the evenings.  These courses are available and accessible for Dreamer parents and members of the community.