Project-based learning gives students a reason to learn. For youth who have struggled in traditional classrooms — often because of learning differences, trauma, or negative past experiences — PBL offers something different: relevance, ownership, and success they can see and feel. Here’s why it’s so effective: Project-based learning doesn’t just teach academics. It restores hope, relevance, and self-belief.It tells …
When news broke that the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) was being impacted by federal shutdowns and layoffs, many of us who serve students with disabilities felt our hearts sink. For therapeutic schools like iCan Dream Center, this office isn’t just a bureaucratic body — it’s a lifeline. Why This Office …
Hey friends, Katie here. Every October, our nation observes National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM). It’s a time to recognize progress, reflect on barriers, and most importantly—to act. At iCan Dream Center, this month means more than awareness. It’s an opportunity to celebrate the businesses in our community that believe in our students, those who …
When I walk into school during Mexican American History Month, I feel something different in the air—it feels like me. The colors displayed, the music, and the way our teachers highlight leaders who look like my family—it all reminds me that I belong here. This week, in Transition and Credit Recovery, our theme is Inspiration and Legacy. Each …
When I wake up in the morning, my eyes open wide but my body feels heavy. The sunlight through the window is so bright it makes me squint. Mommy helps me get dressed, but the shirt feels scratchy on my skin and I don’t like the tag. I pull at it and cry until she …
Walk through a high school today and you’ll notice a shift: boys spritzing cologne in the locker room, styling their hair before first period, and paying more attention to grooming than previous generations may have at the same age. At first glance, it might look like vanity, but beneath the surface are two powerful developmental …
Music has always been more than background noise—it’s a mirror of identity, emotion, and belonging. For teenagers, the songs they play on repeat are often a language all their own, expressing things they may not yet know how to say out loud. As parents and teachers, choosing to lean into the music teens love is …
Why iCan Dream Center Is Going Phone-Free At iCan Dream Center, we are always asking ourselves: How can we create the best possible environment for our students to grow, learn, and thrive? One powerful step we have taken is becoming a phone-free school. Why Phone-Free? Research and lived experience tell us that smartphones, while useful tools, can also …
1. What Are Restorative Justice Practices? Restorative justice (RJ) shifts the focus from punitive measures to healing—bringing together those harmed and those responsible to foster dialogue, accountability, and community repair. In schools, these techniques—like circles, mediation, and community conferencing—allow students to address wrongdoing, understand its effects, and actively participate in making things right. In the …
The smell of freshly sharpened pencils. The magic of a blank notebook waiting to be filled. It’s that time again—back to school at iCan Dream Center! And around here, we don’t just go back to school—we leap into a new year of dreaming big, belonging fully, and growing together. At iCan Dream Center, the first day of …
