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Jared Terceros-Grundy is graduating from Quander Road School in Alexandria with advanced HVAC credentials, a championship basketball season behind him and plans to begin a career in the skilled trades.
His path through Fairfax County Public Schools began with challenges. In early elementary school, Jared struggled with emotional regulation, and teachers recommended a smaller group setting. His mother, Ninfa Grundy, said she initially feared for his future after learning that he qualified for special education services.
Jared moved from a neighborhood elementary school in Annandale to the comprehensive services program at Olde Creek Elementary. He later attended the Burke School for middle school and Quander Road for high school.
Although Ninfa initially resisted sending him to a nontraditional school, she said Quander Road’s small-group environment helped him concentrate on his future.
At graduation, Jared will hold HVAC 1 and HVAC 2 certificates, including a level 2 certificate in heating, ventilation and air conditioning. He is following his father, who has worked in HVAC for more than 15 years.
Jared plans to seek a job with a local HVAC company while applying for scholarships to attend trade school and expand his skills.
His achievements extend beyond the classroom. As co-captain of Quander Road’s basketball team, Jared helped secure a senior-year championship against other nontraditional schools, including Cedar Lane School and Accotink Academy.
“Being a captain was a very big thing,” Jared said. “I wanted to be a good representative of Quander Road, wanted to show that we’re a good school, just like anybody else.”
Jared credits educators across several schools with helping him progress. At Olde Creek, art therapy projects with Miss Lewis gave him a calming outlet. At Burke, Ms. Smucker helped strengthen his algebra skills. At Quander Road, counselor Ms. Breiner recognized his aptitude for hands-on work and encouraged him to apply to Edison Academy’s career and technical education program.
Attending that program required Jared to leave Quander Road, which typically enrolls fewer than 60 students across all grades, and spend part of each day at Thomas Edison High School, with more than 2,500 students.
The crowded setting initially felt strange and overwhelming, Jared said, but he adjusted and developed a strong connection with HVAC instructor Robert Stringham. In the program, Jared learned to use a torch, troubleshoot malfunctioning HVAC equipment and follow technical safety procedures.
Stringham said Jared displayed curiosity from the beginning and repeatedly sought extra practice while working to master the tools and equipment.
As a junior, Jared earned an Occupational Safety and Health Administration certification. He later finished sixth in a regional HVAC competition, earned the Universal technician designation through his EPA certification and served as an alternate for a State Fair SkillsUSA HVAC team.
Those accomplishments, along with his HVAC certificates, could allow him to enter the industry immediately after high school.
Quander Road Principal Frank Tranfa described Jared as a model student and said the school gives young people room to explore different interests, take risks and build futures suited to their individual strengths.
Stringham said Jared’s persistence, patience, attention to detail and problem-solving experience should serve him well after graduation.
Jared said his years in school taught him that support can still be found during life’s hardest moments.
“No matter how hard life could really be, when you think no one is there for you, there are always people to look out for you, see you for the best and who you want to be.”