From Disconnected to Graduate: The Re-Engagement Center’s Success
January 15, 2026
Joshua Baez graduated from high school in May 2025, but he wasn’t always sure he was going to get there. In his senior year, he found himself struggling with attendance. A school administrator at Margarita Muñiz Academy connected him with the Re-Engagement Center (REC), where he received one-on-one support and was able to finish his degree requirements.
The REC, a partnership between the Boston Public Schools (BPS) and the Boston Private Industry Council (PIC), targets students who have dropped out of high school or are chronically absent and offers them the resources and support they need to get back on track. One of the first programs of its kind in the nation, the REC has found that most students who have dropped out actually want to return to school and can succeed. During the 2024-2025 school year, the REC supported over 700 students, of which 300 were placed in new BPS schools.
Joshua Baez in his cap and gown with REC Academic Support Instructor Seth Ford.
Re-Engagement Specialists provide individualized guidance to disconnected students, listening to their stories and needs to help determine the best fit for continuing their education. Whether it is remaining in their current school, enrolling in a new high school or an alternative program, the Re-Engagement Specialists support students as they navigate their next steps. The REC also offers personalized learning to students awaiting placement or who only need a few credits to graduate.
As one of two Academic Support Instructors at the REC, Seth Ford has seen firsthand how students can become disconnected from the educational system. “Many high school students right now are having challenges with mental health, which can interfere with a regular sleep schedule and impact motivation and attendance,” he shares. “A lot of our students were very successful in high school but at some point, they hit a roadblock and found themselves a bit older than their peers, which can lead to withdrawing or disengagement.”
Like many other REC students, Joshua Baez initially excelled in school at Margarita Muñiz Academy. During his senior year, however, he started to have trouble focusing, which impacted his attendance and coursework. After a school administrator referred him to the REC, Baez worked with REC Academic Support Instructor Seth Ford to finish his remaining credits.
Seth Ford and Josh Baez in the REC classroom.
With the extra support, Baez was able to complete his coursework and graduate in May 2025. He credits his success to the guidance he received at the REC. “I learned that it’s not about just graduating,” he says. “It’s about being persistent with your work and actually learning, so that you can become even more educated in the future.” This past fall, Baez started classes at Benjamin Franklin Cummings Institute, where he studies mechanical engineering and business in the hopes of starting his own business.
Throughout its lifetime, the REC has supported over 7,000 students. Angie Encarnacion, REC Manager, attributes the success of the REC to the welcoming environment and culture fostered by the staff. “I think what really makes us different and makes students continue to come back is because we’re non-judgmental,” she says. “We’re here because everybody deserves a second chance. We are here because we care.”
Photos by Samantha Barracca.