to college you're not going to be compared to compete? >> yeah. i am especially with like an example english we're learning how to capitalize and when to capitalize. that's things my sister should be learning, you know. >> reporter: it's because more than half of the 2200 students at maria's school don't pass statewide tests in reading, math. >> when they come to school, they come with a fourth grade reading level and behind in math. we really have a lot of catching up to do. >> it's just my little sister and i. >> everybody is older? >> everybody moved out. >> reporter: the sixth of seven children. >> all of my brothers and sisters were straight a students. >> went from being a students to -- >> dropping out. >> my sister, she got pregnant when she was younger. and like everybody was kind of just expecting me to follow into their same footsteps. >> reporter: everybody including her father. she overheard him two years ago at her 15th birthday party. >> he was like, just a matter of time before she fails. >> fails?