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"Encouraging and supporting students in their journey towards academic success, when they come to us with little hope and battered confidence, is an extraordinary privilege.  Watching their guarded countenance turn into trusted relationships with their teachers is truly life changing.  It's so fulfilling to be able to help a student see themselves as valuable, capable and worthy of a future, and in turn begin to be willing to work for it. Coming out of retirement, as a teacher and school administrator, to work with the students and staff at McDowell has been one of the greatest joys of my educational life."

"I have trusted McDowell with 3 of my children. They have given my kids the much needed extra support they needed to be successful at school. My student says it was much easier to connect and get help when he needed it at McDowell. Some of the extra support and benefits I observed as a parent was: increased individual attention in their classes, mentoring through their senior projects, and creating academic schedules that helped them to meet their academic goals and graduate. I am so grateful for how the staff has treated my kids at McDowell. Their feelings about school and their overall success were greatly impacted. We are very lucky to have this program in BCSC!"

"McDowell is such a special place because teachers and staff are so welcoming, caring and understanding. McDowell is also a special place because you can feel at home and there are always resources and help available. In my personal experience, McDowell helped me grow confidence for projects and presentations, which helped me when I started going to college and being a leader in a Latino organization."