Finding a different way
Finding a different way
Alternative school gives students another chance
By KURT HAUGLIE, DMG Writer
MOHAWK — It occasionally happens for various reasons that some high school students have trouble making it through and getting their diplomas, and often boards of education have to come up with creative ways to make certain those students’ needs are met.
At the Public Schools of Calumet-Laurium-Keweenaw, what officials created in 2005 to fill that educational need was the Horizons Alternative High School, located in a former elementary school in Mohawk.
Marlene Horton, Horizons principal and teacher, said she’s pleased with the results of the school’s first year.
“It went very well,” she said.
Although the number of students fluctuated slightly throughout the school year, about 50 attended.
“It stayed amazingly stable,” Horton said.
There were six students in the first graduating class, she said.
Horton said Horizons was created because the C-L-K school board was concerned that some students were leaving to go to other districts, and because some weren’t finishing school.
“Some (students) were not getting their diplomas and just falling off the charts,” she said.
“The administration and some educators felt they had to do something for the kids who were falling through the cracks.”
Although Horizons is different in its approach to teaching and offers some unique classes, Horton said students still have to complete required subjects all high school graduates need.
“We offer basically the state core classes,” she said.
How Horizons differs from traditional schools is the interaction between the students and the teachers, Horton said.
“We teach pretty much the same content as students would get at a traditional high school but at a slower pace,” she said.
Class sizes are also smaller, and teachers are more “hands on” and try to create a “family” feel at the school, which makes it easier for some students to do better academically.
“We call it ‘Making the magic happen,’” Horton said. “Instead of being at the bottom of the heap, they are the heap.”
That approach seems to be working, Horton said, because a large percentage of the students this year were involved with many school activities other than just the required courses.
“The students realize if they don’t make it happen, it won’t (happen),” she said. “They find they have abilities and talents they didn’t know they had. We set them up to experience legitimate success, but they have to earn the success.”
Monday through Thursday, Horton said students have core academic classes, but Friday is for electives. There are traditional electives such as wood shop, but there are unique classes such as success strategies, which teaches students how to do well in their studies.
There are classes for quitting smoking and substance abuse support classes. Dial Help in Houghton provides a program called Students Talking About Responsible Relationships (STARS). There is a Web page design class where students help create the school Web site.
In the radio broadcasting class, students created and made a tape of a radio program which aired on a local radio station. Students in the publishing class create a newsletter, the student newspaper and the yearbook.
Besides the schoolwork, Horton said Horizon students take part in a mentoring program. Each teacher at the school is mentor to six to nine students.
Every week they meet to discuss how things are going for the students and try to work out any problems. Mentors must call students’ parents or guardians every week, and at least two of those calls must be have a positive message.
“(Students have) someone who cares just about them, which is kind of neat,” Horton said.
For many people, Horton said alternative high school means a less rigorous environment, but that isn’t true.
“Students have to turn in 100 percent of their work if they’re going to pass,” she said.
A grade average of C- is needed to pass, also, she said.
Horton said two of the school’s graduates this year are going on to Michigan Tech University and Finlandia University.
For Horizons’ second year, Horton said students will make three trips to Lansing to compete in a statewide leadership program for alternative high school students sponsored by the Michigan Alternative Education Organization.
Horton, who was involved with the creation of the Marquette Alternative High School in 2004, said alternative education is really about a different attitude.
“When you show kids respect and love, it goes a long way,” she said.
Kurt Hauglie can be reached at khauglie@mininggazette.com
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