Parents from the Mercedes Independent School District work together to learn strategies to help their children succeed in school.

Mercedes Independent School District parents are meeting up with each other on Saturday mornings to learn strategies to help their children succeed in school. The Parent Academy for the Success of Schools is a ten week program geared to educate, motivate and prepare for success.

Parents who participate in the ENCORE PASOS Program learn how to create a positive and lasting educational environment at home using a number of proven academic success tools: dedicating a home study location and time of day for homework; creating ongoing dialogue with their children surrounding their academic successes and challenges; and discussing children’s college expectations.

Classes are taught in English and Spanish by professional ENCORE PASOS facilitators, who are members of the communities they serve. The class series culminates in a parent group meeting with the school principal, followed by an ENCORE PASOS graduation ceremony. Parent graduation is a celebration that is typically very powerful to parents who may not have a formal education, and an opportunity for children to see their parents as graduates themselves.