MISD SCHOOL HELPS STUDENTS
OVERCOME ADVERSITY
C
heers erupted in the front office
of The Phoenix Academy as it was
announced that yet another student has
just graduated from Mansfield ISD.
No, it’s not May; but news of
students earning enough credits
to graduate occurs all throughout
the year at the campus.
The Phoenix Academy provides a
self-paced, accelerated curriculum for
students who may be deficient in their
credits or meet one or more of the state
at-risk criteria factors. It is designed to
provide students with an individualized
plan to graduate and move forward
toward college, career or the military.
“A misnomer is that this is the
school for ‘those kids.’ Well, let me
describe my kids,” said Principal
Regenia Crane. “I’ve had kids where
they had to take care of their family
members. I’ve had kids who have
had health issues, and kids who
have experienced some trauma.”
“We have mentors, financing
workshops and college planning
workshops. We have a person who
comes and helps the children find
scholarships and other career
opportunities,” Crane said. “The
district’s vision of inspiring and
educating students to be productive
citizens does not end once these
students enter our doors. We
want to see them win.”
many opportunities and caring
and loving people, but also like the
encouragement of being able to know, ‘I
did it. I made it.’ A lot of these kids have
so much potential. They don’t know
how to use it, but Mrs. Crane helps you
to unlock that potential and truly be
yourself and get where you need to be.”
Students who graduate from The
Phoenix Academy attend the graduation
ceremony of their home campus in May.
Timeisha Harris was one of four
students who graduated from The
Phoenix Academy on Dec. 6. She
said she is so proud of herself for
everything she has had to overcome.
“I can’t believe I’m graduating,” she
said. “It’s such a great school with
To attend the academy, applicants
must be at least 16 years old and have
a minimum of 10 credits. For more
information about the process and
qualifications, visit
phoenix.mansfieldisd.org.
Crane said the students who attend
the school may have been hit with
unfortunate circumstances in life,
but—like a phoenix—they learn
how to rise from the ashes.
“These are my diamonds in the
rough, where life—whether it’s life
at school, life at home, life in the
community—has covered them up,
so it is hard for them to shine. Our
goal is to help them to shine.”
The Phoenix Academy graduated a
record number of 213 students last
year. To prepare students for life after
high school, the campus partners with
community businesses to teach the
young adults important life skills.
16 MANSFIELDTODAY
Classmates and teachers cheer on Harris on her graduation day.
The goal for Crane (middle) and her assistant principals is to transform lives.