Immigrant Students at Newcomer Charter School

This inspiring story appeared in the Houston Chronicle on November 10, 2006. Newcomer Charter School, housed within HISD's Lee High School, is unique in that it educates approximately 200 students who have chosen to attend school despite challenges and demands that could easily stop them. These students range in age from 17 to 21, speak English as a second language, and are immigrants from Latin America, Asia or Africa.

Mr. Monico Rivas, the school's director, is an immigrant himself, and knows the challenges these at-risk students face. Working closely with Mr. Rivas is CIS Project Manager Sol-Angel Garcia, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who provides social service support so students can stay in school. CIS salutes the work Mr. Rivas and Ms. Garcia are doing every day at Newcomer Charter School.

by Melissa L. Simon, MSW, CIS Director of Development