For Brandon Wolfe’s mother, part of her frustration before Brandon attended Academic and Behavior School (ABS) East was that she couldn’t venture too far from her phone. Brandon deals with behavior issues, and while in New Caney Independent School District, some behavior got him in trouble, and campus staff called Michelle Wolfe to pick him up.

“It’s hard when you have a kid with these issues, so I couldn’t do anything,” she said. “You can’t plan appointments – or anything really – because you never knew when they were going to call. But by sending him home every day, that’s what he learned.”

Brandon transitioned to ABS East heading into high school, following in his older brother’s footsteps, and the experience has been nothing but positive.

More significantly, Brandon hasn’t been sent home once. In fact, he joined three other classmates in crossing the stage May 15 during the school’s graduation ceremony. Wearing his New Caney High School blue cap and gown, he smiled as he was celebrated by family, school staff and district representatives.

It’s just a blessed day,” he said between taking photos. “It made me happy to see everyone cheering for me. Everyone here helped and got me through this.”

Having staff trained and experienced with specific and individualized behaviors made the difference for Brandon. Both ABS East and West provide educational environments for students with disabilities that range from autism to profound emotional, behavioral or intellectual special needs.

It’s normal for all campus staff – even beyond teachers and educational aides – to have a hand in helping students forge their path to success.

“You need more schools like this, and I can’t say enough nice things,” Michelle said. \“From day one I knew it was different. I tell everyone I can about this school and the experience because there are a lot of parents that don’t know about it and they’re struggling in the school system that I was struggling in.”

At the ceremony, Brandon sat patiently while his schoolmates were recognized for academic and behavioral achievements and growth. He was honored for “Exemplary Effort.”

Brandon said he wants to get a job and continue working toward his independence, using many of the strategies he’s learned while at ABS East.

“My other kids have graduated but it hit a little harder this time,” Michelle said. “He’s had to struggle and a lot to overcome that my other kids didn’t. But this was the right school. I love it and I still love it.”