The prescription for success at Edison High School started with a grant application. Now, the program is healthier than ever. Health science teacher Nicole Delgado, now in her seventh year of teaching, says she is constantly working to make the classroom experience more realistic. 

“Every year I try to get it a little bit closer to what an actual pharmacy would be, with stock bottles from pharmacies if they do give them to me,” Delgado said.

This year, that goal became more attainable thanks to a $5,000 bright idea grant awarded by the SAISD Foundation in 2025. “The grant allowed us to purchase mock pills and capsules, which makes it all the more real when we hand the students a prescription,” Delgado said.

Students say the added realism has made a difference. Leo Fleming, a senior in the program, said, “It made me feel like I was a step closer to what it would be like if I were there. I enjoyed it a lot.”  The impact is also reflected in student outcomes.

Before receiving the grant, the program had a 55% passing rate on certification exams. This year, Delgado reports a 72% passing rate, a 17-point increase in a class with 27 students who are all seniors.

Delgado credits the improvement to hands-on learning with more realistic materials.

“The grant supplied us with things that helped reinforce their learning. We cannot legally go into a pharmacy, so these supplies allowed us to replicate that,” she said.

Beyond the classroom, the program offers a direct pathway into the workforce. Students graduate with certification as Texas state-registered pharmacy technicians, allowing them to begin working in pharmacies immediately after high school.

Many students use this opportunity to gain experience and earn income while continuing their education in nursing or other medical fields. Edison senior Mary Lu Villicana said the program provides a valuable head start.

“I think it’s especially a great opportunity for someone still in high school,” she said.

Delgado expressed gratitude for the continued support that makes the program possible.

“Thank you very much to the Foundation. The work they do continues to provide these opportunities for our students to enhance their learning,” Delgado said. “It’s setting them up for that next step in life.”