May 2025

Partners in Progress: How Rivertree Academy and Operation Progress are Mentoring Students and Healing Community Divides

Rivertree Academy 4th grader, Ryann Brown, aspires to become a police officer, and his determination to serve his Fort Worth community shines through every time he steps on campus. Thanks to an innovative partnership between Rivertree Academy and Operation Progress Fort Worth, Ryann isn’t just dreaming—he’s building the foundation for a future through academic support, personal development, and relationship building that’s helping him flourish in the classroom and beyond.

Operation Progress Fort Worth began in 2019 with a commitment to support participating scholars from 3rd grade through college graduation. After a visit with Operation Progress in Los Angeles, Fort Worth Police Chief Neil Noakes and Dean of Graduate Studies at TCU, Dr. Johnny Nhan, saw the need for a similar program in the Fort Worth community. But this isn’t just any mentorship program. Operation Progress partners with the Fort Worth Police Department to mentor students as a way of building positive police-community relationships.

Students are paired with mentors who often see themselves in these young scholars. Operation Progress Executive Director, Dr. Myeshia Smith, shares that officers are paired with scholars based on need, and/or personality similarities. Dr. Smith also values representation by recruiting officers who look like the students and families served through this program. This ensures that students are being encouraged, poured into, and oftentimes, challenged to reach new heights personally and academically.

When Chief Neil Noakes reached out to Rivertree Academy about a potential partnership six years ago, it was an answered prayer. Many Rivertree families were skeptical about law enforcement. There was a need for deeper trust between law enforcement and the community, as well as authentic relationships being built between students, their families, and the local police. The school serves as neutral ground. Families begin to witness positive interactions between local officers, staff, and students.  

Rivertree Academy became the pilot school in 2019 with five OP scholars. These students, now in 9th grade and chosen based on a variety of needs, are making great strides in all areas of their lives. One student has started his own lawn care business after participating in a life skills project with Operation Progress, and another student has been able to pursue a true gift and talent in the performing arts through opportunities at her local schools. All OP scholars are nurtured in their individual talents that are supported personally, and sometimes, financially, by Operation Progress. Scholars are encouraged to be the change they want to see in their community, and their interests are fostered through this program, whether it be private singing lessons, gymnastics, or cosmetology.

While Operation Progress is not a Christian organization, their mission, program distinctives and values are certainly Christ-like. Rooted in a shared vision to empower underserved youth to become educated and productive members of their communities, the partnership between Rivertree Academy and Operation Progress has been mutually beneficial as we work together to provide students with the skills to change the trajectory of their lives. This additional source of support is instrumental in the lives of participating scholars, as well as their families and the Lake Como community.

What began as skepticism toward police officers on Rivertree Academy’s campus has now turned into enthusiasm and embrace. Neighborhood Police Officer Lawton Klein is welcomed to campus with greetings and smiles from students and families every time he comes on campus. Parents have shifted their mindset on police presence after attending school events and programs like All Pro Dads or Anti-Bullying presentations led by local Fort Worth Police Officers. This impactful partnership helps break down barriers and replaces it with open hearts and minds that positively shape the future of the Fort Worth community. Operation Progress Fort Worth is now in six additional schools, including other Christian, charter, and public programs.

For Ryann Brown and his fellow scholars, Operation Progress represents more than just a mentoring program—it’s a bridge between dreams and reality. It’s a vital step in creating a life-changing future. With each tutoring session, community service project, and conversation with an OP mentor, police officers, students, and families walk side by side championing a clearer path towards progress.

(Rivertree Academy students, Mayor Mattie Parker, their founder Randy Brown, and Police Chief Noakes)

May 2024

(Children praying after hearing the Passion Week Bible story.) 

The students from The Christian School at Castle Hills in San Antonio have a heart for missions and reaching kids for Christ. Recently, they completed their 30th trip to the Rio Grande Valley on the southern border of Texas to share the love of Jesus with impoverished children and their families. These gospel-focused excursions have led over 800 children, teens, and parents to Christ as Savior. Their recent Easter trip focused on a Kid's Resurrection Party and Easter family carnival and cookout.

The students drew crowds from the neighborhood to hear the Gospel. They carried out the entire responsibility for each aspect of the trip as they worked together in teams to conduct various activities such as crafts, outdoor games, Bible stories, worship, skits, and a simple yet powerful Gospel presentation. The high school students, who first learned the Gospel presentation in elementary school, led the presentation. Over 30 children and parents received Christ on Palm Sunday weekend.

The mission at The Christian School at Castle Hills is “leading students to know Christ and to make him known.” Superintendent Michael Pinkston stated that the school's focus is to create a culture that immerses every student in God's call to experience the Great Commandment and the Great Commission.

(Over 30 children and parents respond to receive Christ as Savior.)

April 2024

On February 16, 2024, Dr. Ben Carson visited McKinney Christian Academy and had a deeply impactful time with the students, faculty, and staff. Dr. and Mrs. Carson were distinguished guests on campus, where they took time to share the importance of building the next generation of Christian leaders. In addition, they shared the book, “Why America Matters”,  along with several other resources from the American Cornerstone Institute’s Little Patriot Program. Dr. Carson concluded by encouraging students, families and teachers to live out America’s founding principles of faith, liberty, community, and life.

 “There are few failures that are more detrimental to a community than failing to educate the next generation of citizens…We must ensure that future generations of Americans are given the opportunity to achieve the American dream, and that starts with hard work, a good education, and a robust knowledge of our nation’s storied history,” said ACI Founder and Chairman, Dr. Ben Carson. “It was with this understanding that we developed the Little Patriots program as a tool for every parent, grandparent, or educator that wishes to teach America’s true history to the next generation of leaders. I am grateful for schools like, McKinney Christian Academy, for prioritizing civics education and I look forward to the continued partnership.”

"The American Cornerstone Institute is conducting critical work toward shaping the future of our country by impacting today's youth. We are thrilled to provide this curriculum to our students and honored to now include Dr. Carson's books and the Little Patriot program here at MCA and on the shelves of our library," said Heath Nivens, Head of School at McKinney Christian Academy.

Little Patriots is a free, online educational program for kids created by the American Cornerstone Institute. The program is two pronged - featuring books and an online learning platform with a curriculum for elementary aged children created by teachers and education professionals. Learn more by visiting LittlePatriotsLearning.com. 

February 2024

Evansville Christian School (Newburgh, IN) hosted Dr. Sean McDowell at their school for a day of interaction with students, staff, and community leaders. Then, in cooperation with area churches and the local Welborn Foundation, hosted their first “Resilient Families: Faith Through Formation” event, a community-wide night at a downtown theatre where Sean shared his presentation, “Passing Your Faith to the Next Generation.” With 1,000 registered attendees, this annual initiative hopes to bring families, churches, and Christian schooling together with the goal of increasing parents’ and caregivers' confidence in understanding and communicating a Biblical worldview and values with their children, “so the next generation will know.” Great job ECS!