Alt. high school offers hope to drop-outs; brings diplomas within reach
Samantha Nasser
Issue date: 11/6/08 Section: News
At 17, Mindy Hoffman would have dropped out of high school, condemned from the public education system, had it not been for Hillsdale Alternative High School.
"I was constantly being kicked out of school," Mindy she said.
In a regular school, she lacked the individual attention necessary to flourish. The alternative high school now provides the support system she lacked.
Beneath colorful shade of the trees lining McCullough Street, across from the Hillsdale Daily News office, Hillsdale Alternative High School offers a non-traditional approach to learning. Inside the school, chairs parked at small desks and computers teem with students eager to catch up on credits in order to graduate with their class.
"The typical student who comes here is going to behind in credits," Educational Assistant Cheryl Cochran said. "We offer them an opportunity for credit recovery."
The school accepts students through the age of 19, offering them additional time to graduate with full credit.
Current enrollment ranges from 70 to 80 students, but Cochran expects enrollment to increase next year due to stricter graduation requirements at Hillsdale High School. Hillsdale High students must now pass Algebra II before graduating.
"There's going to be a group of students who are going to fall short of that goal," she said.
In many cases, the students do not return to their old high schools, but graduate with one of the alternative high school's two diplomas: a traditional high school diploma or the Horizon Alternative diploma.
Though the alternative diploma requires 10 less credits than the high school diploma, both actually require more credits than any other school in the Hillsdale school district.
Many students from districts outside of Hillsdale also attend the school. At last count, approximately 25 of the students came from outside Hillsdale's school district.
Crystal Barker, 18, who came to the school as a sophomore, said NovaNet, the school's unique online education program, differentiates it from a traditional high school.
Secretary Vicki Lee said the program keeps the students physically in school, while allowing them to catch up on credits at their own speed.
The school has a much more important role than merely helping students regain credits. Because many of the students lack a strong role model at home, the school provides them with clear examples or educational and personal excellence.
Not only that, the high school also meets personal needs for students, too. Once, when Hoffman needed a ride to her doctor's appointment, Cochran drove her.
"They will give you the shirt off their back to help you here," Hoffman said. "It's like a second family."
"I was constantly being kicked out of school," Mindy she said.
In a regular school, she lacked the individual attention necessary to flourish. The alternative high school now provides the support system she lacked.
Beneath colorful shade of the trees lining McCullough Street, across from the Hillsdale Daily News office, Hillsdale Alternative High School offers a non-traditional approach to learning. Inside the school, chairs parked at small desks and computers teem with students eager to catch up on credits in order to graduate with their class.
"The typical student who comes here is going to behind in credits," Educational Assistant Cheryl Cochran said. "We offer them an opportunity for credit recovery."
The school accepts students through the age of 19, offering them additional time to graduate with full credit.
Current enrollment ranges from 70 to 80 students, but Cochran expects enrollment to increase next year due to stricter graduation requirements at Hillsdale High School. Hillsdale High students must now pass Algebra II before graduating.
"There's going to be a group of students who are going to fall short of that goal," she said.
In many cases, the students do not return to their old high schools, but graduate with one of the alternative high school's two diplomas: a traditional high school diploma or the Horizon Alternative diploma.
Though the alternative diploma requires 10 less credits than the high school diploma, both actually require more credits than any other school in the Hillsdale school district.
Many students from districts outside of Hillsdale also attend the school. At last count, approximately 25 of the students came from outside Hillsdale's school district.
Crystal Barker, 18, who came to the school as a sophomore, said NovaNet, the school's unique online education program, differentiates it from a traditional high school.
Secretary Vicki Lee said the program keeps the students physically in school, while allowing them to catch up on credits at their own speed.
The school has a much more important role than merely helping students regain credits. Because many of the students lack a strong role model at home, the school provides them with clear examples or educational and personal excellence.
Not only that, the high school also meets personal needs for students, too. Once, when Hoffman needed a ride to her doctor's appointment, Cochran drove her.
"They will give you the shirt off their back to help you here," Hoffman said. "It's like a second family."
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