CYRPRESS -- In every school, all across this city there are kids who want to learn and they are trying to succeed.

There is a major hurdle in their way – extreme poverty. Poverty so deep that some kids are homeless while still attending classes. 

And for some like Kimberly, the stress is overpowering. Especially this month with term papers due.

“I don't want to cry anymore,” said Kimberly.

She told her story to student journalist Stephanie Madrid of Cypress Ridge High School.

At just 17-years-old, Kimberly lives on her own because in her early teens she and her mother separated. So, in addition to attending classes, she has to work to make ends meet.

Her story is one that was tough to cover.

“Because, right now I don’t think I am going to graduate,” she said.

Balancing the two is tough, especially when she was interviewed by Madrid. That is because she had an overdue term paper.

“If I can't get on the computer, I can't stay after school because I have to go to work to make that money so I can have rent and have the lights on and to have groceries in my house,” said Kimberly, whose last name we agreed not to reveal. “Because without that what am I going to do, live on the streets?

“I can’t have that. And then when you go to school they are asking you why didn't you turn this in, I can't turn this in now. I can’t.”

Kimberly's story is not unique.

On Tuesday, 11 News rode around with social workers from Houston's Covenant House, handing out food to homeless teenagers.

Teens, which Covenant House officials said have tried to balance poverty and school work, but just gave up.

Now they're living on the streets. Some of the young women 11 News spoke with admit they are prostitutes.

Kimberly's advice?

“Stay strong, stay strong. Do a lot of things even though you are not going to have food sometimes. You are not going to have lights on sometimes,” she said. “You're not going to have your grades all up high because you can’t keep all those things and your job and your school.

“You just can't keep them both.”

Thing is, soon after her interview with Madrid, Kimberly did give up and dropped out of school.