Klein ISD is continuing to invest in students who are at risk of dropping out of school.

The board approved an application for the Optional Flexible School Day Program for the 2019-2020 school year with a 5-0 vote at its Sept. 9 board meeting.

The application for the Optional Flexible School Day Program for the Klein Success Academy must now be approved by the Texas Education Agency, according to KISD. The application is valid for one year, according to the TEA.

The Klein Success Academy is a district dropout prevention and recovery program that offers flexible schedules for students who are at risk of dropping out or who face challenges attending class.

Evening programs for Klein Success Academy are offered at Vistas and Klein Oak high schools, while day programs are offered at Klein High School, according to KISD officials.

The program has graduated 1,333 students since its inception in 2009, according to KISD officials.

“Klein ISD continuously strives to address the needs of our at-risk population, carefully monitoring student progress, participating in research-based, dropout-preventative initiatives and implementing innovative programs,” KISD Chief Financial Officer Dan Schaefer said at the meeting. “The Klein Success Academy," Schaefer said, "as you can tell by the successful graduation rate, is designed to help meet the needs of these students.”

Schaefer noted the program would also benefit from additional state funding.