A UNIQUE ALTERNATIVE SCHOOL
The Metro Opportunity Center at Handley takes a restorative approach to learning, giving students the tools, space, and skills to creatively approach challenges, build relationships, and solve problems.
Big Thought partnered with Fort Worth ISD to redesign alternative education through The Metro Opportunity Center at Handley, striving to combat obstacles students may face through trauma-informed interventions and disrupting the traditional behavior model by teaching students how to navigate their emotions and lead successful lives.
When students join us at the center, we want to give them the ability to direct their own academic learning. Students work on what they really care about. We want them to transition back to a FWISD home campus with an advanced toolkit in their pocket. These tools will guide them to navigate their best lives and world.
– Evan Cleveland, Senior Director of Programs, Big Thought

The Student Journey
The Metro Opportunity Center at Handley is not an application-based program; students are directed to the school after receiving disciplinary action at a Fort Worth ISD campus. The alternative school helps students build on their innate strengths, gain confidence, and focus on creativity for short-term placement periods of 30 to 60 days before returning to a home campus.
During their time at Handley, students continue taking core classes while developing social-emotional and creative learning skills.
DISCIPLINARY ACTION
PLACEMENT AT HANDLEY
TAKE CLASSES
LEARN SEL SKILLS
RETURN TO HOME CAMPUS
“…No matter the hardships you grow up with, you will be labeled, you go through so much, your parents and these labels don’t describe you. You are not your parents. You are not a loser, you are a chooser because you decide what you want. I learned so much here and I feel like I can make better decisions now. I’m going to concentrate on me.”
– MOCH Student
Frequently asked questions (FAQS)
Contact Us
We welcome the opportunity to share more information about our work with Fort Worth ISD to develop an alternative school program founded in trauma-informed care. Whether you’d like to discuss how to build a similar program in your district or you’d like to work with The Metro Opportunity Center at Handley, please contact: [email protected]
If you’re a parent of a Handley student who would like more information about the school or additional support services, please contact: [email protected]

