(EL PASO INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT – Oct. 15, 2026) — Every school day, while many of her classmates are still getting ready for the day ahead, Kiana Tsutsui is already on campus, preparing for a different kind of challenge. Her alarm rings, she gets ready, and heads to the Young Women’s STEAM Research & Preparatory Academy for her 7:30 a.m. class.

Tsutsui is taking a course through the National Education Opportunity Network (NEON), a nonprofit program that gives high school students access to college-level academics and is one of the Pathways to Prosperity opportunities available to El Paso ISD students. It's an early start to a demanding day, but one that brings Tsutsui closer to the future she's working toward.

“The course is not easy by any means. There’s a lot of note taking and learning different concepts and making sure I am understanding them,” Tsutsui said. “But this class has been so helpful, and it lets me know how my classes will look like when I go to a university or college next year.”

NEON partners with colleges and universities to expand access to higher education for students attending Title I eligible high schools. Students can take college credit-bearing courses at no cost, learn from university professors, participate in weekly live discussions with university teaching fellows and receive support from their high school teachers.

See which colleges and universities are in the NEON program

Students who successfully complete courses earn college credits and an official transcript from the institution offering the course. The experience helps students develop college-level skills, build academic confidence and prepare for the expectations of higher education.

The opportunity is making an impact across El Paso ISD. In September, NEON announced that 45 El Paso ISD students from eight high schools earned recognition in its National Honor Society for their academic performance in college courses during the Spring 2026 semester.

Nationwide, 1,392 students earned the distinction, representing the top 20% of nearly 10,000 students enrolled in NEON courses during the semester.

“More than 700 El Paso ISD students have taken advantage of the opportunity to challenge themselves through rigorous college coursework with NEON, and we are proud to see that opportunity continue to grow,” said El Paso ISD Chief Academic Officer Al Garcia. “Their success is a reflection of what our students can accomplish when they are given meaningful opportunities to learn, explore and prepare for their futures.”

Beyond the classroom, Tsutsui is involved in a range of activities at Young Women's STEAM Research & Preparatory Academy. She plays cello in the school orchestra, has participated in debate, theater, drumline, flag football and advanced placement art, and serves as president of the Class of 2027. Her experiences reflect a commitment to exploring her interests, challenging herself and taking on leadership roles.

“When students have access to rigorous coursework and the support to take on new challenges, they begin to see what is possible for their futures. Opportunities like NEON help students build confidence, strengthen their college readiness and explore pathways that connect their education with their goals,” said Jennifer Arias, principal of Young Women's STEAM Research & Preparatory Academy.

For Tsutsui, the opportunity to pursue higher education carries a personal meaning.

She hopes to pursue a career in occupational therapy, a goal shaped in part by her own experience living with an autoimmune disease. Having faced health challenges herself, Tsutsui wants to help others who are navigating similar circumstances.

Her aspirations reflect a desire to turn personal experience into a way to support others while gaining the education and skills needed to make a difference in their lives.

Tsutsui encourages other students to consider NEON and the opportunities it offers.

“I would definitely recommend the NEON program to other students aside from the fact that you’re going to get experience in college classes, but it’s a lot of new information that you don’t normally get in a regular classroom,” Tsutsui said.

Through NEON, students can challenge themselves with college-level coursework before graduation, explore their interests and begin preparing for their next steps. For Tsutsui, the commitment starts before the school day begins, but her goal reaches far beyond a 7:30 a.m. class: building a future where she can use what she learns to help others.

Learn more about the Young Women’s STEAM Research & Preparatory Network