Texas State Governor Greg Abbott speaks to the attendees gathered for the grand opening ceremony of the New Heights Adult High School at the Tarrant County College Opportunity Campus in Fort Worth on Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024. New Heights is the first dual enrollment adult high school in Texas.
Chris Torres
ctorres@star-telegram.com
Gov. Greg Abbott visited Fort Worth Wednesday to celebrate the launch of the first dual enrollment adult high school in Texas.
Traci Berry, the CEO of New Heights High School, gives Texas State Governor a tour of the campus prior to the grand opening ceremony of the New Heights Adult High School at the Tarrant County College Opportunity Campus in Fort Worth on Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024. New Heights is the first dual enrollment adult high school in Texas. Chris Torres ctorres@star-telegram.com
Abbott toured New Heights Adult High School located at 5901 Fitzhugh Ave. in the Stop 6 neighborhood.
“There is no more important category for Texas to be number one than adult education, especially for high school training jobs that will lead to a high paying job for these people who have before never received their high school degree,” Abbott said. “That is what Texas wants to be ranked number one for.”
Thomas Ford, an instructor at New Heights Adult High School, displays welding parts to Texas State Governor Greg Abbott during a campus tour prior to the grand opening ceremony of the New Heights Adult High School at the Tarrant County College Opportunity Campus in Fort Worth on Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024. New Heights is the first dual enrollment adult high school in Texas. Chris Torres ctorres@star-telegram.com
He was able to take a tour of the building, welding labs, and meet current New Heights students.
In partnership with Tarrant County College, New Heights opened on Sept. 3 to allow adults 18 to 50 years old to simultaneously earn a high school diploma and certification in one of at least 10 career and technical programs.
Traci Berry, the CEO of New Heights High School, speaks to the attendees gathered for the grand opening ceremony of the New Heights Adult High School at the Tarrant County College Opportunity Campus in Fort Worth on Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024. New Heights is the first dual enrollment adult high school in Texas. Chris Torres ctorres@star-telegram.com
Traci Berry is the CEO and superintendent of New Heights and was part of the school’s inception in Fort Worth.
In 2023, there was a successful push for adult high schools throughout the state. Berry helped write Senate Bill 2032, which moved public adult high schools to sustainable funding under the Foundation School Program administered by the Texas Education Agency.
Elva LeBlanc, the Tarrant County College Chancellor, speaks to the attendees gathered for the grand opening ceremony of the New Heights Adult High School at the Tarrant County College Opportunity Campus in Fort Worth on Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024. New Heights is the first dual enrollment adult high school in Texas. Chris Torres ctorres@star-telegram.com
Elva LeBlanc, Tarrant County College chancellor, said this new partnership bring a new chapter in a community wide commitment to lift the living standard, empower the workforce and drive economic prosperity.
“There is nothing more important or exhilarating than providing Tarrant County residents the education and training they need to pursue their needs and their dreams,” LeBlanc said. “Partnering with New Heights High School delivers on our 60-year promise to educate learners at every stage of their career and of their life.”
According to the Census, 14% of Fort Worth residents live below the poverty rate compared to 13.9% statewide. In Fort Worth, 17% of residents do not have a high school diploma compared to 15% across Texas.
People with GED certificates have lower monthly earnings, an average of $3,100, compared to those who earned a regular high school diploma, who earn an average of $4,700, regardless of sex, race and ethnicity or age, according to the Census Bureau.
Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker, left, and Texas State Governor Greg Abbott share a laugh on stage for the grand opening ceremony of the New Heights Adult High School at the Tarrant County College Opportunity Campus in Fort Worth on Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024. New Heights is the first dual enrollment adult high school in Texas. Chris Torres ctorres@star-telegram.com
Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker said she is confident there will be schools similar New Heights Adult High across the state and hopes one more will end up in Fort Worth.
“This state has to focus on the students in our classrooms, in every single classroom, regardless if that kid is homeschooled or private school or charter school or traditional public — it doesn’t really matter,” Parker said. “Because eventually these students have to be a part of the workforce of tomorrow, and I have confidence that with places like New Heights, it will happen.”
Texas State Governor Greg Abbott arrives for the grand opening ceremony of the New Heights Adult High School at the Tarrant County College Opportunity Campus in Fort Worth on Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024. New Heights is the first dual enrollment adult high school in Texas. Chris Torres ctorres@star-telegram.com
Texas State Governor Greg Abbott takes a photo with students and faculty prior to the grand opening ceremony of the New Heights Adult High School at the Tarrant County College Opportunity Campus in Fort Worth on Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024. New Heights is the first dual enrollment adult high school in Texas. Chris Torres ctorres@star-telegram.com
This story was originally published September 25, 2024 at 7:54 PM.
Kamal Morgan covers racial equity issues for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. He came to Texas from the Pensacola News Journal in Florida. Send tips to his email or Twitter.
