We kick off our first meeting back at the Virginia Museum of History & Culture July 12 with Dr. Lee Vreeland, President and CEO of An Achievable Dream (AAD). She will be joined by Peggy Layne (the wife of our recent speaker Aubrey Layne) by request of our members who wanted to learn more about this fascinating program focused on meeting the educational needs of vulnerable young people in several Virginia public school systems.
With over 20 years of experience in overseeing AAD’s academics and operations in various roles, Dr. Vreeland combines strong leadership skills with her expertise in education and business strategy to lead An Achievable Dream in leveling the playing field for all students. She is a firm believer that all children can learn and succeed given the tools and opportunity. Dr. Vreeland is a graduate of Mary Baldwin College, earned her Master’s Degree in Counseling from the College of William and Mary, an Ed.S. in Educational Administration and Leadership from George Washington University, and an Ed.D. in Educational Policy, Planning and Leadership at The College of William and Mary. She is a 2016 graduate of the CIVIC Leadership Institute and serves on the Board of Directors for the Newport News Education Foundation and Peninsula TowneBank, and the Christopher Newport University Board of Visitors.
Peggy Layne thinks of herself as a “professional volunteer.” After a 40-year career with Dominion Energy, she retired and now dedicates her energy and diverse business experience to work for organizations that make her community a better place to live. As a resident in Hampton Roads for 30 years, Peggy supported a variety of organizations, including as a board member of AAD.
AAD develops independent, productive citizens through a Social, Academic, and Moral Education (SAME®). Dedicated to the belief that all children can learn and succeed regardless of socioeconomic background, AAD operates schools in partnership with Newport News Public Schools and Virginia Beach City Public Schools, and AAD Certified Academy in Henrico County near Richmond, Virginia.
The Achievable Dream program began in 1992 in Newport News and has since expanded to serve over 2,000 students in Newport News, Virginia Beach, and Henrico County. In each expansion, the program begins with grades K–2 and expands by one grade level per year. In Newport News, the program serves grades K-12, and as of Fall 2021, the program serves grades K-9 in Virginia Beach and K-6 in Henrico County.
The unique public-private partnership model operates within a standard public school and leverages the nonprofit arm of An Achievable Dream to fundraise for additional resources for students and families. Key components of the program include a trademarked SAME® (social, academic, and moral education) curriculum, extended academic day and week, 4-week summer intersession, extensive field trips, clubs, uniforms, and social rotation courses including STEM, mindfulness & meditation, conflict resolution, ethics, etiquette, and workforce communication. The full K–12 program in Newport News boasts a 100% on-time graduation rate, with 90–95% of graduates attending college or trade school, 3–5% joining the military, and 1–2% entering the workforce.