{"id":527,"date":"2017-02-22T23:02:55","date_gmt":"2017-02-22T23:02:55","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/stories.kera.org\/changing-face-schools\/?p=527"},"modified":"2017-02-22T23:07:27","modified_gmt":"2017-02-22T23:07:27","slug":"hospitality-program-restores-kimballs-pride-after-years-of-low-ratings","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/stories.kera.org\/changing-face-schools\/2017\/02\/22\/hospitality-program-restores-kimballs-pride-after-years-of-low-ratings\/","title":{"rendered":"Tourism Program Restores Kimball’s Pride After Years Of Low Ratings"},"content":{"rendered":"

Poverty is surging at Kimball High School in Dallas. Fifteen years ago, 57 percent of the families were economically disadvantaged. Today, it’s 83 percent. The Oak Cliff school is battling those numbers and turning around a dismal academic record \u2014 in part with its hospitality and tourism program.<\/em><\/p>\n

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Delores White not only teaches a hospitality class for juniors at Kimball High but also runs the school’s four-year Academy of Hospitality and Tourism.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve been here for 10\u00a0years,” she said. “But we didn\u2019t actually start thriving until, let\u2019s say, four years ago.\u201d<\/p>\n

White’s not shy \u2014 that\u2019s when she took over. Under her direction, the program has earned \u201cdistinguished\u201d status from the National Academy Foundation. She says this program helped restore pride in Kimball. That\u2019s after the state ranked the school academically unacceptable for five\u00a0out of six\u00a0years.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe were academically underperforming,” she said. “Because of this academy, we raised the bar. \u201c<\/p>\n

\"kimball_accountabilityweb\"<\/p>\n

Competing with charters<\/h5>\n

The National Academy Foundation partners with schools in high-need communities in 36 states and demands tough academic and professional standards.<\/p>\n

Kimball has been challenged by a growing number of charter schools. White\u2019s confident about her program.<\/p>\n

\u201cCharters \u2013 I might consider them as being the competition,” she said. “Not great competition though.\u201d<\/p>\n

Students like Kimball senior Shai Johnson aren\u2019t shy, either.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis academy has given us just a big advantage over everybody else,” Shai says. \u201cI feel like there\u2019s no job that I can\u2019t go out and get myself. I\u2019ve been taught how to speak in an interview. My resume looks good.\u00a0 They\u2019ve taught me so much about creating my own business, how to work well with others.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Mary

Delores White with her Kimball High School students on a field trip to Workforce Solutions Greater Dallas. Photo\/Lara Solt<\/p><\/div>\n

\u201cI would definitely love to be first in my family to go to college.\u201d
Francisco Gamez, Kimball junior<\/div>
<\/div><\/div>\n
Getting real-world experience<\/h5>\n

White is all about preparing students for college and business. For many kids, it\u2019s a way up and out.<\/p>\n

While they won\u2019t all end up working for a hotel or travel business, the lessons will stick, especially from internships that the program requires.<\/p>\n

Tia Crowe, a Kimball senior, was a paid intern at the Hotel Association of North Texas, and says it was a\u00a0big deal.<\/p>\n

\"Kimball

Francisco Gamez, left, practices his handshake with Talent Development Facilitator Wes Esquivel at Workforce Solutions Greater Dallas. Photo\/Lara Solt<\/p><\/div>\n

\u201cWe were treated not only as students but as an adult, as a co-worker at that job,” Tia says. “It was a good experience.\u201d<\/p>\n

Francisco Gamez, a 17-year-old junior, is looking forward to applying for an internship.<\/p>\n

\u201cTo get real world experience on how a job should be and how it could be is definitely a great opportunity that they offer,” he says.<\/p>\n

First, he needs a suit. During a field trip to\u00a0Workforce Solutions of Greater Dallas, he was measured for one. The job training center has racks and racks of business suits. That\u2019s one reason Delores White brought 40 guys from the academy.<\/p>\n

\u201cMost of our young men don\u2019t have proper attire for interviewing,” she said. “We insist that they dress professional regardless of the job they\u2019re going for.”<\/p>\n

These clothes are free, which suits Francisco.<\/p>\n

\u201cA lot of us maybe don\u2019t have exactly the finances for a suit,” he said.<\/p>\n

Neither do most kids from Kimball. More than 80 percent of the student body qualifies as economically disadvantaged.<\/p>\n

ECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED STUDENTS OVER 20 YEARS<\/h6>\n