Denair Charter Academy was built to serve students such as Jennifer Negrete-Garcia – teens who for various reasons were not finding the success they wanted in a traditional high school setting.
In Negrete-Garcia’s case, she was dealing with multiple trying situations involving family and friends while she attended Hughson High School. In the middle of her junior year, she decided to enroll in DCA, which features an academically rigorous independent study program catered to the needs and schedules of students such as Negrete-Garcia.
Since making the move, Negrete-Garcia has flourished. She’s on pace to graduate this spring and looks forward to pursuing a career in the medical field.
In recognition of her progress, the Denair Unified School District nominated Negrete-Garcia for the Every Student Succeeding program run by the Association of California School Administrators (ACSA). She and a couple of dozen other nominees will be honored Tuesday morning at a breakfast hosted by the Stanislaus County Office of Education. DCA teacher Monica Gonzalez, counselor Sally Baker and Denair Unified Superintendent Terry Metzger will accompany Negrete-Garcia to the event.
The Every Student Succeeding program, now in its 20th year, recognizes students in grades K – 12 who have overcome serious challenges, succeeded beyond expectations or just won the hearts of their school staff. That certainly describes Negrete-Garcia in the past year.
“She has endured her trials with grace and has managed to maintain good school attendance, good grades, a positive attitude, and she has kept a beautiful smile on her face,” said Baker.
