“I like learning, because I have teachers that make me feel loved and special. My favorite thing about this school is art class. I like to draw. I also love that I get to go to school with my brother, so I have family and friends here.”

“Before coming to Van Houston, I had a scary experience in a different private school. The environment wasn’t very welcoming, and students weren’t friendly. Now that I transferred here, I am grateful to have teachers that actually care about us. Everyone here is friendly. All of the students are very close and no matter what grade level we’re in, we all get along with each other.”

“I’ve changed so much since being here. I used to struggle a lot with math, so my teachers helped me improve by encouraging me. They gave me the skills I needed to do well in my classes. I also feel like I can share what I love with my teachers and they actually understand. This is the only school that showcases my interests and is really open to hearing my opinions and thoughts.”

“Our teachers here teach better than my old school. I used to get lower grades before, but now I get straight As. I also really like how I can be silly with my teachers, especially because they tell funny jokes in class. Plus, our field trips are my favorite, because I love to go karting!”

“I didn’t know what to expect when I first arrived at Van Houston. It was the first year of COVID and my school was online. Immediately, I noticed that the teachers here were more welcoming than the ones I had in public school. After getting to know everyone, I feel a lot better here and have improved in my communication skills. My grades have improve and I have never been more confident in myself.”

“I am a lot happier at Van Houston and have made a lot of new friends. The environment feels so safe here compared to other schools, and it’s improved my mental health a lot. This is the first time I’ve had teachers who not only help us academically, but also genuinely care for us. Being here is like having a second home, because everyone feels like family.”

“When I went to public school, I was very antisocial. I always kept to myself. Ever since I transferred, I’ve gained so much confidence and feel like I can talk to anyone. Everyone at VHA is so connected and talks to each other naturally. For once, I’m at a place where students can be themselves.”