The morning sun slips through the blinds, painting lines across my blanket, but I don’t move. My stomach twists as I think about school—about the crowded hallways, the way the words on the whiteboard blur together, the way my mind locks up when I’m called on. I can already hear the whispers: Why is he so quiet? Why does he take so long? They don’t understand. They don’t know what it feels like when the letters dance on the page, when my brain feels like it’s sprinting while my mouth can’t keep up. It’s easier to stay home, to stay in bed, to avoid the looks, the pressure, the fear of messing up—again.

Days turn into weeks, and I stop counting. At first, I wonder if anyone notices my empty desk, but the thought fades as quickly as it comes. The school calls a few times, my mom’s voice tense as she argues with someone on the other end, but eventually, even that stops. My world shrinks to my room, to the quiet glow of my phone screen as I scroll, not really reading, not really watching. Just moving my thumb up, down, up again. I watch people laughing, living, doing things that feel impossible for me now. I check old messages without replying. I type things out, then delete them. I don’t know what I’d even say. Hey, I still exist? The longer I sit here, the more I feel like I don’t. Like I’m fading into the background of my own life, one swipe at a time.

Too many high school students slip through the cracks, their struggles unseen until it feels too late. Anxiety, learning disabilities, and the pressures of school can become overwhelming, leading some students to withdraw entirely. At first, missing a day or two doesn’t seem like much—but then days turn into weeks. Credits slip away. The gap between where they are and where they should be grows wider, making it even harder to come back. And without the right support, many don’t.

At iCan Dream Center, we know this story all too well. We see students who have spent months, even years, disconnected from school, unsure if they still belong in a classroom. But they do. Our high school program is built to meet students where they are, to provide the understanding, encouragement, and tools they need to re-engage. Whether it’s through small class sizes, individualized, project-based learning plans, or a focus on emotional well-being and student/teacher relationships, we help students reclaim their path. But we can’t do it alone. School districts, we are here to partner with you—to give students like this a place to belong, to rebuild their confidence, and to work toward a future where they are plugged in, thriving, and moving forward. Let’s make sure no student is left behind. Let’s do this together.