Letters: Reader weighs in on Achievable Dream Academy

Dear Editor,

I am writing in response to the article titled, Henrico School Board weighs future of under-performing Achievable Dream Academy, published in your newspaper on November 13th, 2020. First, I want to say thank you for bringing attention to an issue that I believe is not discussed enough in the Henrico community. As you have mentioned in your article, the Highland Springs community is one of the most impoverished communities in Henrico and I believe ineffective actions have been taken to improve the overall well-being of this community. The social and economic class stratification between impoverished communities like Highland Springs and upper-middle communities reflects in student’s performances in the classroom.

While you mention that ADA has had academic setbacks, I do acknowledge and respect the social and well-being aspects you have mentioned this program has provided students. Students in this community experience more traumatic personal experience than other upper-class communities, and I believe the ADA helps these students deal with these types of problems from which they cannot receive help from home. While school is a place for academia, I do believe a school is a place we learn how to navigate life socially and emotionally as well.

Thank you for writing this article, and I hope to hear that the ADA program remains in place to help students socially and emotionally.

Sincerely,
Grace Johnson