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Explore 91��Ƭ�� 2024 welcomes students of all ages

Explore 91��Ƭ�� has a lot in common with Black Friday, the traditional shopping day that kicks off the Christmas season.

Just like Black Friday, Explore 91��Ƭ�� kicks off the specialized programs season, as applications opened Oct. 22.

Just like on Black Friday, there was a line of people outside the Dan Dipert Career + Technical Center Tuesday night before the doors opened at 6 p.m.

And just like Black Friday shoppers, the people in line knew exactly where they wanted to go when the doors opened, whether it was to visit the STEM programs that were inside the main entrance or go talk to any of the six early college high school options that were just around the corner.

And there were plenty of options for parents and students to choose from – whether it was an elementary, junior high or high school specialized program, visiting with our early childhood team, talking to someone in advanced academics or watching art be made by a teacher from the Dr. Marcelo Cavazos Center for Visual and Performing Arts.

It was a big night indeed for the more than 400 people who showed up.

“This provides the families and parents with an opportunity to see how many options there are,” said Traci Thomas-Bragg, 91��Ƭ��’s director of postsecondary partnerships. “Also, if you’re a younger family, you can see where your kid is going to go in the future. You can see there’s a clear pathway from elementary all the way through high school and into college. This is a fantastic turnout. We’re really happy with how things are going.”

There was something for everyone at the event as there were also student performances. From the academies, principals, administrators and students from the programs showed up to talk and answer questions about the programs.

They were kept busy, too,

“This has been good,” said Arlington Collegiate High School principal Jeff Kreiger. “We’ve had a lot of eighth graders here this year. It’s been really helpful.”

Chelsea Ervin came with her son Jay Joblin, an eighth grader at Shackelford Junior High. They spent time researching early college options, with the P-TECH at Lamar High School a frontrunner followed by the P-TECH at Bowie High School.

“We’re just trying to figure out options for college,” Ervin said. “I think it’s awesome they get free college credit. That’s amazing. Anything that will help him succeed is big. We’re just trying to see what’s all available.”

She wasn’t alone.

Scott and Ana Lederhos brought their daughter Emma to Explore 91��Ƭ�� because next year she starts kindergarten, and they wanted to find out more about Corey Academy. They went to the right place as principal Cynthia Anthony and her staff were ready to help.

“I love it,” said Ana Lederhos, whose daughter is zoned to go to Little Elementary. “If we apply and she doesn’t get in, we’re okay with her going to Little. But I really want her to be able to go someplace where she can get into dual language.”

They were in the right place.

The good news is that while Explore 91��Ƭ�� was the kickoff to the specialized programs window, there’s still plenty of time to learn more and apply. The window for applications is open until Jan. 13, 2025. You can find out more and apply here.