On January 23, The Rise School of Houston hosted their 20th anniversary celebration, highlighting its growth and success in the past two decades. The Rise School of Houston is a pre-school for children with and without disabilities from six months to six years of age, and a non-profit organization and affiliate of Texas Children’s Hospital.
The celebration began in a covered area just outside of the school with a mixer that allowed donors, past and present school faculty and staff, and many others to mingle and meet one another. Shortly after, a program ensued that included speakers who have been an integral part of the school. A member of the Board of Trustees started with a welcome, and the senior pastor of St. Luke’s United Methodist Church followed with a passionate prayer. The celebration was filled with emotional moments as it fell on the heels of the passing of The Rise School founder, John Duncan.
Emily Duncan, the granddaughter of John and Brenda Duncan, later approached the podium to speak about the history behind the creation of The Rise School. After learning that their grandson was born with Down Syndrome, the Duncans worked hard to research and develop an early intervention and therapy facility and in 1997 the Rise School of Dallas was born.
The late John Duncan knew he wanted to open another location in Houston and at his 71st birthday party, many of his close friends surprised him with a gift of $1,000,001 to open a Rise School in Houston. Our President and CEO Mark A. Wallace then agreed to lease space for $1 a year and on January 20, 2000, the school opened with 17 students. Today, the school has a capacity to hold 100 students and a wait list that holds 75.
“We will not be where were are without Texas Children’s and Mark Wallace,” Emily Duncan said before introducing Wallace. “We lean on our partnership to continue, so thank you from the bottom of my heart and my grandparents.”
Texas Children’s Hospital provides the school’s occupational, physical and speech therapists; a music therapist, language specialist and nurse also are on staff.
“Wow, 20 years, what an incredible milestone,” Wallace said as he began his speech during the program. “As we all know this place is truly special. It’s a bright light in our community and Texas Children’s is so proud to be a part of the school ever since its inception”
He went on to describe with friendship with Duncan and how the Rise School and Texas Children’s partnership began.
The program closed with an original song by the school’s music therapist, and following the program everyone was invited inside of the school for a tour of the facility, refreshments and a special performance by the children of The Rise School.
The Rise School of Houston is the only school of its kind in the greater Houston area. It is also one of 9 percent of pre-schools in the United States to be accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).
Click here for more information about The Rise School of Houston.
