Perspective | Finding my fit: The school that didn’t let me stay small

As a senior getting ready to graduate from Durham Charter, I’ve been thinking a lot about how I got here. Not just the classes I took or the activities I joined, but the environment that shaped me. Looking back, I realize something I didn’t fully understand when I was younger: the school you’re in can change everything. It can shape your confidence, your opportunities, and even what you believe is possible for yourself.

I know that because I used to be the kind of student who stayed quiet.

Even when I didn’t understand something, I wouldn’t raise my hand. I would just sit there and think, I’ll figure it out later. Sometimes I didn’t think I was “that smart,” especially when I started being placed in honors classes.

What I didn’t realize at the time is that it’s not just about how capable you are, it’s whether you’re in an environment that brings that out of you.

I found that kind of environment in a school I’ve been part of since first grade — one that didn’t let me stay small. Being in a public charter school, I was challenged more, supported more, and given opportunities that helped me grow.

At first, I was nervous. I’ve always been shy, especially around new people. But what stood out right away was how welcoming everyone was. The school wasn’t too big, and it wasn’t too small. It felt like a place where people actually knew you.

If I had to describe it in one sentence, I would say this: it felt like a family.

What makes my school different is that the teachers don’t let you give up on yourself, even when you want to. I remember telling my math teacher, “I don’t understand anything.” I thought he would just move on. Instead, he sat with me and worked through the problem step by step, showing me different ways to understand it until it finally clicked.

That’s when I started to realize maybe I could do this.

Even when I didn’t want to volunteer, my school found ways to push me. I didn’t always want to step up, but they didn’t let me hide. I was asked to do the school pledge in front of everyone. I had to give a speech to younger students. I even ran for student body president.

Each time, I was nervous. But each time, I did it anyway. And each time, I got a little more confident.

That confidence showed up in other ways, too. I went from only playing one sport to trying volleyball, basketball, soccer, and even cheer. I started saying yes to things I never thought I would try before. At my school, it’s not just about academics. It’s about making sure you grow as a person. And academically, they prepare you for what’s next.

Because of that support, I was able to take college-level courses through Durham Tech while still in high school. This spring, I’m graduating not only with my high school diploma, but also with my associate degree. Along the way, I became a semifinalist for the Coca-Cola Scholars Program, and I’ll be attending Hollins University on a full scholarship this fall — milestones that still don’t feel real. It’s a dream come true.

At first, I didn’t even think that was possible. But my school kept encouraging me to push further. They helped me register for classes, checked in on me, and made sure I stayed on track. Now, I’m planning to go to college and work toward becoming a lawyer. I want to study criminal justice and psychology, and I also want to continue writing and sharing my poetry.

A few years ago, I wouldn’t have had the confidence to say any of that out loud.

I also know that not every student has access to a school experience like mine. In many communities, students don’t always have clear or accessible options that truly fit how they learn or what they need to succeed.

I know my experience could have been very different. If I had gone to my districted school, I honestly think I might have been overlooked. I probably would have stayed quiet. I might not have realized what I was capable of.

Now, as I get ready to graduate, I can finally see how much my environment shaped me. I’m not the same student who stayed quiet and doubted herself. I’ve grown into someone who speaks up, takes on challenges, and believes in what I’m capable of — and that didn’t happen by accident. 

For me, being in a public charter school made that difference.

Not every student gets the chance to be in a school like mine. I believe every student deserves to be in a place where they feel seen, encouraged to grow, and supported when things get hard.

As students across North Carolina think about their futures, I hope they have the same opportunity I did: to be in a place that helps them grow into who they’re meant to be.

I didn’t get here on my own. I had teachers and coaches who believed in me — even when I doubted myself. I still think about moments when my math teacher sat with me and helped me understand something I thought I’d never get.

Sometimes, all it takes is the right environment for a student to realize: I can do more than I thought.