After graduating from New Hope High School in 2018, Morgan Kelly was determined to return to the school in some capacity.
New Hope served as a turning point in her educational journey, and she felt a deep responsibility to be one its biggest advocates.
“This school did something, it put a footprint on my heart,” Kelly said. “New Hope really showed me what I wanted to do, it created a passion for something. I want to do exactly what they did for me for other kids.”
When Kelly reached her junior year at Cedar Park High School, she knew she needed a change in her learning environment. While she liked the school, she began to fall behind. That’s when she heard about New Hope from a friend. Right away, she knew she’d be a perfect fit.
“I had been in credit recovery at CPHS, which is the ‘go at your own pace’ program, and I really excelled there,” Kelly said. “Now an entire school dedicated to that exact type of learning, I was like ‘Oh yes, that’s definitely gonna benefit me.’”
Despite first-day nerves, when Kelly arrived at New Hope as a student, she found where she belonged.
“After the interview process, walking through the doors for the first time, I felt an energy in the air,” she said. “The way everyone talked to you, greeted you, felt like home. A lot of kids feel that way when they get here. It feels like a family.”
Kelly arrived at New Hope in March of 2017, the latter half of her junior year, and she graduated in February of 2018. New Hope graduates have the option to attend both their home campus and New Hope graduation ceremonies. One of Kelly’s favorite graduation memories was sitting with her Cedar Park High School class in the summer and knowing her high school diploma had a graduation date several months ahead of her peers.
Aware of the stigma that is sometimes associated with alternative learning choices, Kelly wants others to know that it takes motivated and dedicated students to attend and graduate from New Hope.
“We all learn differently, and that’s what I want people to know about New Hope, it’s an alternative learning opportunity,” Kelly said. “It’s not just for kids who are ‘messing up.’ It’s for kids who already know what they want to do, they already have a head start on their lives, and they just want to get out of school. When I was here, there was a girl who did her junior and senior year in six months.”
While New Hope students receive incredible support from supportive teachers and other staff, Kelly recognizes that it’s the students who determine their own success.
“You’re in charge of your education here,” she said. “If you’re just sitting in class and not moving at all, you’re not going to get anything done. It takes driven kids to come here and graduate.”
As a student, Kelly bonded with the staff at New Hope, especially Kelly Middleton, the school’s administrative specialist.
“I met Morgan in spring of 2017,” Middleton said. “I had just started working in the front office at New Hope and she was a student. We immediately formed a school ‘mom-daughter’ relationship because I loved her positive attitude, smile, ability to make everyone laugh and her loyalty to her friends.”
After Kelly graduated, she and Middleton kept in touch. Kelly would call every few months and ask about any job openings at New Hope while serving as a substitute teacher in Leander ISD.
Six years later, the call she’d been waiting for finally came. New Hope’s attendance clerk was retiring, and the position would be open by the end of the 2023-24 school year. Kelly was hired as the new attendance clerk and returned to New Hope as a full-time employee in August 2024.
“Morgan was very persistent,” Middleton said. “She is already good at her job. She is creative, understands our students and speaks well with our parents. I couldn’t be more happy with being able to choose my office mate!”
Although she is still new to her role, Kelly has started connecting with New Hope students from the jump.
“There have been a few times where students have come into the office, and I’ve been able to talk to them and help them since I am in a unique position,” she said. “I can relate to them since I’ve been there. I see them as a bunch of younger siblings.”
As an employee, Kelly hopes to continue to advocate for the school and champion every student.
“Having Ms. Kelly on campus is evidence of how investing in our students and building relationships with them, will lead to successful and compassionate adults,” said Christina Lane, assistant principal of New Hope High School. “Ms. Kelly fully understands the journey our students are embarking on and the impact it will have on their future. Her dedication to New Hope’s mission is evident in her desire to pay it forward. We are lucky to have her!”
In addition to finding ways to empower students, Kelly hopes to establish new traditions on campus, while keeping the unique “feel” that distinguishes New Hope.
“I’ve tried to step into taking on creative roles here,” Kelly said. “I also want to integrate a more ‘school’ feel into New Hope. For example, we’ve been integrating daily announcements. I’d like to give the students spirit weeks and things like that. I want to help the kids have a good day, have a good time, and have a great school.”
