By Joel Rubin

It started on the Peninsula 22 years ago and now has migrated east.

An Achievable Dream (AAD), which partners the business community with a school in a low income neighborhood, has helped raise student performance and graduation rates in southeast Newport News.  Last year it caught the attention of school officials in Virginia Beach, who worked with AAD leadership to locate a program in the resort city. It has now begun.

Sara Jo and Joel greet students on their way into school.

In late July, more than 150 pupils in grades K-2 arrived at Seatack Elementary on Birdneck Road for a two week “summer intersession” to acclimate them. They wore their new uniforms, shook hands with adults as they entered the building (Joel and Sara Jo went by one day to do just that), participated in uplifting assemblies, learned etiquette and conflict resolution skills and met the teachers and principals they would see again when classes start officially in September.

RCG, which has been working with AAD since last summer, invited the local media to see the program in action.  WAVY TV and The Virginian-Pilot delivered some outstanding coverage. Parents and children came back to the school on Wednesday, July 31 for “induction” and all were excited about the extra support the youngsters will receive. Within three years all grades at Seatack will be part of the Achievable Dream Academy and then a middle and high school will follow.

To date AAD has raised several million dollars to pay for additional class time, field trips and other enhancements.

For more information on how to be part of the program, visit www.achievabledream.org.