The ceremony marked the total transition of the Houston school to the Camelot model
HOUSTON, Feb. 5, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ --Camelot Education and the Houston Independent School District cut the ribbon, marking the transition of management of Beechnut to Camelot. HISD entered into a partnership with Camelot in the hope of giving middle and high school students who have violated the district's school code of conduct a greater opportunity than students have had in the past to overcome their mistakes and enjoy academic success.
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Camelot regional director Cory Thames, who oversees the Beechnut Academy program, told the parents and students gathered, "I'm so proud to be associated with Camelot and so grateful to be placed in this position to effect positive change at Beechnut Academy."
Camelot has established a strong record of helping at-risk students get back on track, graduate and advance. Camelot began taking over management from the previous operator in September 2012 and the school has been in a period of transition since that time. The Camelot behavioral model is now fully implemented and the school now mirrors Camelot's successful programs in Pennsylvania, Illinois, New Jersey, Florida and Colorado.
The former Beechnut student who created the phoenix logo for the school returned for the event. Eleventh grader Jasmine Lewis, who now attends Westside High School, was assigned to Beechnut after getting into a fight. Now, with Beechnut's help, she has put herself on a positive path. "I'm working as hard as I can to get into LSU. I want to be a doctor so I can help others," she said.
HISD chief middle and high school officer Michael Cardona spoke directly to the students seated next to the stage, telling them he was where they are when he was a young man. "We all make decisions and we all make mistakes," Cardona said. "Our partnership with Camelot is intended to help you overcome those mistakes. What the district and Camelot have created here is the beginning of your success. You just have to take advantage of the opportunity."
Mr. Thames closed the program by telling students, "We don't care what caused you to be here - we care about what you do here and how that is going to benefit you academically and behaviorally."
Read more about Camelot Schools at www.camelotforkids.org
SOURCE Camelot Education
