Skip to content

Make a difference with us

Donate
Our Work > Programs

Metro Opportunity Center at Handley

Courtesy of Brandon Colston, Dallas Mavericks.

A UNIQUE ALTERNATIVE SCHOOL

The Metro Opportunity Center at Handley began when Big Thought and Fort Worth ISD (FWISD) joined forces to redesign alternative education. The alternative education center leans on a restorative approach to learning, giving students the tools, space, and skills to creatively approach challenges, build relationships, and solve problems.

What do we do?

The center combats obstacles students may face through trauma-informed interventions and disrupts the traditional behavior model by teaching students how to navigate their emotions and lead successful lives. Metro Opportunity Center at Handley and its team of educators support student growth through a unique, student-driven approach to alternative education.

How does it work?

Students work on projects that directly link to their individual interests. They imagine new ways of solving problems, approaching challenges, making connections creatively, and creating new things. Students are directed to Metro Opportunity Center at Handley after receiving disciplinary action at a FWISD campus. As a transition school, Metro at Handley helps students build on their innate strengths, gain confidence, and focus on creativity for short-term placement periods of 30 to 60 days before returning to a home campus. During their time at Handley, students continue taking core classes while developing social-emotional and creative learning skills.

When students join us at Metro at Handley, we want to give them the ability to direct their own academic learning. Students work on what they really care about. We want them to transition back to a FWISD home campus with an advanced toolkit in their pocket. These tools will guide them to navigate their best lives and world.

GOALS FOR OUR STUDENTS 

Gain Social-Emotional Learning Skills

We focus on social-emotional learning to encourage greater self-awareness. When students recognize how their emotions drive behavior through social-emotional learning, they are able to improve their academic performance and attitude while reducing emotional stress with a focus on the results of positive conduct and peer interaction. 

Become Active Drivers of Their Education

The Metro Opportunity Center at Handley honors the brilliance and voice of students. We ask the student to direct their own education through project-based learning focused on topics directly connected to their unique interests and goals. 

Take Responsibility for Actions Through Restorative Care

Trauma-informed care works against the traditional punishment-focused model for negative behavior, instead restoring students’ ability to manage their emotions and conduct. Students are directed to identify the root cause of behavior and understand the impact of their actions. 

Learn to Reset When Emotions Take Over 

When behavioral issues or stress get in the way of a student’s participation in learning, we provide a “reset” as intervention. Rather than just being punished, students are removed from the classroom to spend time with a counselor, employ coping skills, and reflect on how to handle the situation before returning to class. 

Impact Stories

How a Game Designed by Youth is Sparking Better Conversations

The Porcelain Child: A game designed by youth, that shows the power of words - and the impact of listening.

Read More

7 Questions with Stars United Global Outreach

Check out our program partner Stars United Global Outreach and their 10 years of creating lasting impact.

Read More

Skill-Building, Mentorship, and Impact: Key Takeaways from Built for More Webinar

Check out our Built for More webinar recap, “The Importance of Youth Workers in Preparing Youth for the Future of Work”.

Read More

How Do We Hold Onto Hope in Uncertain Times? (And Help Youth Do the Same) 

Change is a constant, and with it often comes uncertainty. As educators, nonprofit leaders, and community advocates, we are not only responsible...

Read More

7 Questions with Let The Beat Build

See how Big Thought program partner, Let The Beat Build uses music, technology, and mentorship to help young people turn their passion...

Read More

What Youth Need from Us in 2025

Mentorship is more than just offering advice; it’s about fostering a trusted relationship. Using the insights shared by youth, that relationship can...

Read More

Art, Advocacy, and Impact: Aria’s Story

Explore how Big Thought empowered Aria to use art, advocacy and impact to drive change through programs like Creative Solutions and Artivism.

Read More

Empowering Youth Through Creativity: Fernanda’s Story

Discover how Fernanda, a teaching artist with Big Thought, uses creativity to empower justice-involved youth.

Read More

Big Thought and PEAR Partner to Support Youth Resilience

Big Thought and Partnerships in Education and Resilience (PEAR) have partnered to expand the reach of PEAR’s Developmental Resilience Training, a research-backed...

Read More

Big Thought Names Erin Offord As New Chief Executive Officer

Under Offord’s leadership, Big Thought is poised to expand its national impact, advancing education and driving transformative change for young people.

Read More