As a parent with ambitions for their child in Harlingen, you want the best for their future. You might even imagine them becoming a doctor, a teacher, a business owner, or someone who creates change in your community. No matter your viewpoint, it all starts with your child doing well in school and eventually holding a high school diploma. That diploma is the ticket to many opportunities, just like your desire for your child to have a great school experience and stay on the path to success.
School days aren't always as bright as they should be. You know that students act up sometimes, and even the best ones can face serious consequences they don't deserve. Just one misunderstanding or being in the wrong place at the wrong time can have lasting effects. This is especially true in schools where punishment is taken to the extreme.
In Harlingen, students may be removed from their regular school if they're accused of misconduct. In these cases, they are placed in a Disciplinary Alternative Education Program (DAEP), for what the Harlingen Consolidated Independent School District (HCISD) claims "students can continue their education while learning discipline" as the best option. However, these arrangements cause more harm than good, and a student's education can be disrupted in ways that can have long-term negative effects on their academic progress.
If HCISD is recommending DAEP placement for your child, it's important to act quickly. The process can move fast, and without a clear plan, your child could be sent to the Secondary Alternative Center (SAC) at 1310 Sam Houston Dr., Harlingen, TX 78550, far from their regular campus and routine. Meanwhile, decisions about your child's future are made through the district's administrative offices at 407 N. 77 Sunshine Strip, Harlingen. Knowing your rights and how to challenge the decision can make all the difference. Don't wait—take steps now to protect your child's education and future.
The Lento Law Firm's Student Defense Team helps families in Harlingen stand up to unfair DAEP placements. Our team understands how HCISD handles school discipline and what it takes to push back. We work with parents to protect students from being placed at the Secondary Alternative Center when it's not the right decision. If your child is facing DAEP, call us at 888-535-3686 or message us online, and let's talk about your case.
What Is DAEP in HCISD?
In Harlingen, some students are removed from their regular school and sent to the Secondary Alternative Center (SAC). This school is part of HCISD's Disciplinary Alternative Education Program (DAEP), located at 1310 Sam Houston Dr. Harlingen, TX. The district says SAC helps students stay on track and learn better behavior, but many families say the program feels more like a punishment. The reasons for this are that the rules are strict, students have less freedom, classes are limited, and the setting is very different from a normal school. This can make students feel stressed, confused, and cut off from their teachers and friends.
How DAEP Placement Affects Students in HCISD
In HCISD, students who break school rules may be removed from their campus and placed in the Secondary Alternative Center (SAC), the district's DAEP program. While the district describes SAC as a place where students can keep learning and improve their behavior, many families say the experience is harmful.
Here's how DAEP placement can hurt students:
- Falling Behind in School: Work at SAC may not match what students learn in their regular classes. When they return, it's easy to fall behind.
- Losing Social Connections: Students are separated from their friends and school support. That can lead to stress and trouble fitting in when they return.
- Being Treated Differently: After DAEP, some students are seen as troublemakers. This label can lead to unfair treatment and more discipline.
- Lack of Activities: Students in DAEP can't join sports, become members of clubs, or take part in after-school programs. Besides being limited in their learning scope, they are also kept out of the full school experience. As a result, these kinds of things that DAEP students are unable to do can make school feel less real to them. Students with fewer activities may also have weaker college or program applications than their classmates.
- Increased Stress at School: Teachers may keep a closer watch on the returning students. Even minor issues can develop into bigger problems, even if the students struggle to do better.
- A Tough Return: Students often feel nervous or frustrated when coming back. The change in pace and structure makes the school feel harder than before.
Many families feel that DAEP does more harm than good. Stopping a placement before it happens can help protect your child from long-term setbacks.
Schools Affected by DAEP Placement in Harlingen
Students in the Harlingen Consolidated Independent School District (HCISD) can be assigned to the Disciplinary Alternative Education Program (DAEP) at the Secondary Alternative Center (SAC). Most of these placements come from middle or high schools, but in rare cases, elementary students may also be referred for serious behavior issues.
Middle Schools in HCISD:
- Coakley Middle School
- Gutierrez Middle School of Arts & Sciences
- Memorial Middle School
- Vela Middle School
- Vernon Middle School World Languages Academy
- STEM² Preparatory Academy
High Schools in HCISD:
- Harlingen High School
- Harlingen High School South
- Harlingen Collegiate High School
- Cano Freshman Academy
- Harlingen School of Health Professions
Elementary Schools in HCISD:
While DAEP referrals for elementary students are rare, serious behavioral incidents may result in early interventions or alternative placements.
- Austin Elementary IB World School
- Ben Milam Elementary Dual Language Academy
- Bonham Elementary School
- Bowie Elementary School
- Crockett Elementary School
- Dishman Elementary School
- Dr. Rodriguez Elementary STEM Academy
- Early Childhood Academy
- Jefferson Elementary School
- Lamar Elementary Dual Language Academy
- Lee H. Means Elementary Fine Arts Academy
- Long Elementary School
- Sam Houston Elementary IB World School
- Stuart Place Elementary School
- Travis Elementary STEM Academy
- Treasure Hills Elementary School
- Wilson Elementary Dual Language Academy
- Zavala Elementary School
Knowing which schools may refer students to DAEP helps families stay ready and informed. When parents understand HCISD's rules and how the system works, they're in a better place to make smart choices. Acting early can help prevent small issues from turning into bigger problems. Staying ahead of school policies can keep your child in class and out of unnecessary discipline.
Common Reasons Students Are Sent to DAEP in HCISD
Not every DAEP placement is the result of a serious offense. Sometimes, minor behavior issues or misunderstandings lead to harsh decisions. That's why it's important for families to know what can trigger a DAEP referral—and whether the school's response fits the situation.
Common Reasons for DAEP Placement in HCISD:
- Physical Altercations: Even minor fights can lead to DAEP placement due to strict policies. Misunderstandings about self-defense might also result in disciplinary action.
- Possession of Prohibited Substances: HCISD prohibits items like tobacco, vaping devices, and alcohol. Students found with these substances may face immediate DAEP assignments, even if they were unaware of the rules or influenced by peers.
- Continuous Classroom Disruptions: When a classroom is disrupted often, it can lead to multiple office referrals. According to HCISD's policies, the level of discipline may increase based on how many times it happens. This can result in DAEP placement.
- Academic Dishonesty or Continuous Rule Violations: Habitual rule-breaking, such as cheating or repeated misbehavior, may be seen as intentional defiance. This can lead to a DAEP assignment.
- Possession of Prohibited Items: Even if it's accidental, bringing banned items to school may result in DAEP placement. This includes things like pocket knives or certain electronic devices.
HCISD allows school staff to use their judgment when handling discipline, which means even small rule violations can lead to DAEP. Having a strong defense helps make sure your child is treated fairly and avoids being removed from their regular school without good reason.
The DAEP Placement Process in HCISD
Getting placed in DAEP is a serious change for any student. It doesn't happen all at once—there's a step-by-step process schools must follow before making that decision. Knowing how this works can help families stay prepared and speak up when it matters most.
If school staff think a student broke the rules, they begin a process that includes reports, meetings, and official notices. Each part of the process can be confusing, but parents don't have to feel powerless. Staying involved at every step gives families a chance to speak up and help guide the outcome.
Here's how the placement process usually works:
- Incident Report and Referral: If a teacher or school employee believes a student broke the rules, they may file a report to explain what happened. That report is reviewed by school leaders, who then decide the next disciplinary steps.
- Disciplinary Hearing: The school holds a meeting to decide if DAEP is the right option. Administrators have a lot of control in these cases, so outcomes can vary depending on how the story is told. Parents and students should bring anything that helps explain what really happened, like notes, emails, or witness statements.
- Initial Parent Contact: If the school plans to place a student in DAEP, they'll send a formal notice to the family. These letters don't always explain things clearly or fully. They may leave out why the decision was made or how to challenge it. Parents should read these notices carefully and act quickly if they plan to respond.
- Fighting DAEP Decisions: If the school decides to send your child to DAEP, you can appeal it. There's a short window to speak up, so you'll want to move quickly. When you respond, share what really happened and include anything that helps tell your side of the story. This is where an experienced lawyer will play a significant role, especially if the school made mistakes on the facts of the case or treated your child unfairly.
- Final Placement Decision: The HCISD reviews everything and decides whether the DAEP placement will continue. These decisions aren't always fair and may be influenced by administrative pressure or biased opinions. If the appeal doesn't work, parents might still have legal steps they can take to help their child stay in regular school.
A lot of parents in Harlingen, Texas, don't know they can speak up and fight a DAEP placement. Having the right legal support can help keep a student in their regular school and avoid a harsh outcome.
How the Lento Law Firm Helps Families in HCISD
Getting sent to DAEP can feel unfair and stressful for both students and parents. Some families don't realize they can push back—even if the school says the decision is final. But you still have choices, and acting quickly can help stop a DAEP placement before it happens. Taking action early can keep your child on track and in their regular school.
The Lento Law Firm's Student Defense Team understands how HCISD handles discipline. We know how to push back when a DAEP placement isn't fair. Our goal is to protect your child's school record, future plans, and well-being. We also make sure school officials follow the rules and base their decisions on real facts.
Here's how the Lento Law Firm's Student Defense Team helps families in HCISD:
- Finding Errors in the Process: Sometimes, schools make small mistakes during a discipline case. That might be something missing in a report or a step they skipped during the hearing. We take time to look through the paperwork and records to find those issues. Even small problems in how the school handled things can help you challenge a DAEP placement.
- Questioning Unclear or Missing Evidence: Schools need real facts to send a student to DAEP—not guesses or pressure from staff. If the school uses weak reports, gets the story wrong, or relies on secondhand statements, we step in. We speak up to make sure decisions are fair and based on what really happened.
- Asking for Better Options Than DAEP: Some students are sent to DAEP even if it's their first mistake or the rule they broke wasn't serious. We speak up for fairer choices like in-school suspension, behavior plans, or other ways to help the student grow. These options let students stay in their normal classes instead of being removed from school.
- Standing with Families During Hearings and Appeals: School discipline meetings can be stressful, and many parents don't know they're allowed to bring a lawyer. We're there to make sure the school follows the rules, listens to both sides, and treats your child fairly. We also make sure they look at the full story—not just the bad parts. Our goal is to reduce or stop the DAEP placement whenever possible.
- Making Sure Schools Follow the Rules: Texas law and school policies set clear rules for DAEP placements. But sometimes, staff don't follow those rules or make decisions they shouldn't. We step in to hold them accountable. That helps protect your child from unfair or improper placement.
Many students face long-term problems after being sent to DAEP. They may fall behind in school, feel stressed, or worry it could hurt their chances later on. But just because the school says something is final doesn't mean it is. Acting fast with the right help can stop the placement and protect your child's future.
If your child is facing DAEP in HCISD, don't wait, time is of the essence in these situations. Call the Lento Law Firm Student Defense Team today at 888-535-3686 or reach out to us online.
