Tucked on the west side of Liberty Hill High School (LHHS), you’ll find a gray portable building that houses the Liberty Hill ISD Success Academy (LHSA). LHSA provides an alternative learning environment tailored to meet the diverse needs of students. 

It is designed for those who may not have found success in a traditional high school setting – including students who need to recover credits, those who need a shorter school day to support their families financially, and those who benefit from a smaller self-paced learning environment.

LHSA Principal Jonathan Bever shared, “Through individualized pacing, support and strong relationships with staff, students begin to experience success, sometimes for the first time in a long while.”  Let’s chat with four recent LHSA graduates about the personal success the program has given them.

Penelope Johnson-Quaife

Penelope has lived in Liberty Hill for nine years and recently moved over to the Success Academy from Liberty Hill High School. “Everyone has a different journey and LHSA provides opportunities for everyone,” she said. “It helps students who are struggling to find their footing again and those in the shadows have a chance to shine.”

A Panther at heart, Penelope is grateful for the memories made in Liberty Hill and for her Spanish teacher and Coach Dominguez for the ways they’ve supported her dream of being a Division I cheerleader.  She is headed to Iowa State next fall and will be part of the school’s cheer squad. After college, Penelope plans to become a chiropractor. 

Lazarus “Tank” Carson

It isn’t an exaggeration to say the trajectory Tank Carson was on changed when he enrolled in LHSA. He came to Liberty Hill in elementary school and was an active kid, playing sports year round. 

Tank stated that he had made some decisions that led him to working closely with his principal. Together they discussed opportunities and Tank ultimately decided to move into LHSA. He loved that he was able to work independently and go at his own pace at his new school. “I’m really proud of myself,” he said, “It [LHSA] made me a better person. I was happier and smiled more.” 

Tank is putting that drive into his next steps - his landscaping business. He plans to work full time in landscaping for the next year and then hopes to go to technical school to be an electrician. He credits much of his success and happiness to Mrs. Landers, “the mom of Success”. According to Tank, she works hard to solve problems for her students and helps them get back on track.

Shelby Shupe

Shelby Shupe came to Liberty Hill in sixth grade. She struggled in the traditional school setting with peers, learning, and feeling overwhelmed. Success gave her the setting she needed to achieve her goals.

Shelby saw right away that, “The teachers were very welcoming and cared about me.” The smaller class size and the ability to set her own pace allowed her to partner with her teachers to find a learning style that worked best for her. Being able to set her pace also allowed Shelby to work towards her dream of being a chef!

Shelby was accepted into the Culinary Institute of America (CIA) with the dream of being a food stylist working on commercials one day. She is grateful for the Culinary Arts teachers at Liberty Hill High School, Chef Rogers and Chef Smith, who helped her find her passion for the art of food, and Mrs. Martin for her never-ending patience in math class. 

For Shelby, LHSA wasn’t about having low credits, it was about maximizing her time and getting her credits toward graduation completed. “It is a great place if you have struggles in school, at home or with peers,” she said.

Brooke Knaus

Brooke found that traditional education wasn’t the right path for her. Brooke’s teachers at Legacy Ranch High School suggested she enter LHSA and now, Brooke is a high school graduate!

For Brooke, success in the program came because of the smaller environment. She found it easier to focus, to get to know her classmates and for her teachers to get to know her. She is grateful to Mrs. Huffy, Mrs. O and Mrs. Landers for working through the hard days with her.

Brooke will be starting Austin Community College this fall with hopes of transferring to a four-year university to earn a health sciences degree. Looking back, she is grateful for the opportunity to attend LHSA and the help it provided. She recommends it to others who are struggling like she was.

“Success Academy gives our students hope. It doesn’t just help students finish school; it helps them believe in their ability to do anything they set their mind to,” said Bever. Congratulations to these LHSA graduates, and thank you to the teachers and staff who believed in them!