Julian Chaparro’s parents have one dream for him: Live a better life.
Chapparo, a graduating senior from Uplift Summit International Preparatory, will soon set off on that path. He plans to attend the University of Texas at Arlington and study biomedical engineering.
Chapparo, who will be a first-generation college student, was one of 1,024 graduating seniors from charter school network Uplift Education who celebrated their post-high school plans during an event at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth.
“Education is vital,” Chaparro said.
Uplift CEO Yasmin Bhatia attributed the success of the students to their support system of staff, teachers and families.
To kick off the celebration, younger students cheered and danced to show their support for the graduating seniors. Spirits were lifted even higher as the school mascots held a dance battle.
Graduating seniors filed onto the floor to find their seats. In groups of four, they took the stage to announce where they will go next. Each announcement was met with roars of applause from families, peers and friends.
All of the students were accepted into college, but some plan to enter the workforce, join the military or attend a trade school, such as The Culinary Institute of America.
Daniel Gray, managing director of college and career at Uplift, attributed the charter school network’s success to its counselors. Uplift has one counselor for every 50 students, he said.
For comparison, Fort Worth ISD has one counselor for nearly 350 students, according to data from the Texas Education Agency.
The low ratio allows Uplift students to have unique experiences tailored to their interests and needs, Gray said.
Sofia Stenson, a graduating senior from Uplift North Hills Preparatory, plans to study medicine at Vanderbilt University. In the future, she hopes to provide health care to people in lower-income communities.
“Uplift Education has really helped me believe in my passion and be guided in it. They have been very good at supporting me because of the tight-knit environment,” Stenson said.
Uplift parent Jessica Salas sent all of her children to the charter school beginning in kindergarten. Her son Damian is her second child to graduate from the school. He plans to study computer engineering at Texas A&M University.
“My senior has gotten so much support,” Salas said.
Georgie London is a reporting fellow for the Fort Worth Report. Contact her at georgie.london@fortworthreport.org. At the Fort Worth Report, news decisions are made independently of our board members and financial supporters. Read more about our editorial independence policy here.
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