By admin 
TUCSON, Ariz. (13 News) – A Tucson charter school is helping students overcome homelessness, expulsion, and other challenges to earn high school diplomas.
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This year, 21 students graduated through Tucson Preparatory School, a downtown school that serves youth at risk — including students formerly incarcerated in juvenile detention or jail, and youth experiencing homelessness.
Students who struggled in traditional schools
Roberto Mendez began working during high school to help support his mother. He said the demands affected his behavior at school and that he felt pushed out rather than supported.
“It always felt like they were trying to weed me out instead of help me actually graduate,” Mendez said.
Mendez attended schools in the Amphitheater and Tucson Unified districts before being expelled from Flowing Wells. He said he watched peers advance while he fell behind.
“While other people are getting into college or they’re already sophomore year, I’m still over here putting in the work to get there,” Mendez said.
Anthony Nuzzo faced a different set of obstacles. After experiencing homelessness with his father in Phoenix, he moved to Tucson but struggled to stay consistently enrolled.
“It was just mental because I was always sad at night. But it wasn’t really hard to go to school for me, it was more so just the mental fortitude,” Nuzzo said.
School’s open-door approach
Tucson Preparatory School accepts students regardless of their background or prior disciplinary history, according to case manager Cheryl Hoover.
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“They have ADHD, behavioral issues, they’ve been expelled from other schools — we’ll take them in and help them,” Hoover said.
Both Mendez and Nuzzo enrolled at Tucson Prep and, with support from teachers, graduated this May.
“It was such a relief — a tear kind of came to my eye. Because not only did I finally graduate but leaving them means like a different chapter of my life,” Mendez said.
Nuzzo’s family attended his graduation ceremony.
“They’re really proud of me, and I’m glad that I can make them smile,” Nuzzo said.
Tucson Preparatory School has space available for new students. You can register HERE.
Isabela Lisco is a Report for America corpsmember covering education solutions for 13 News. Her position is made possible through funding from Report for America and the Arizona Local News Foundation’s Arizona Community Collaborative Fund.
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