Alternative high schools in PSD defy stereotypes

By Cherry Sokoloski
North Forty News

Edward Kalbach, a senior at Poudre Transition Center, wants to major in chemistry in college. His father is currently a graduate student in biochemistry at Colorado State University.

Eve Oqueli, also a senior at PTC, looks forward with enthusiasm to graduation. Her goal is to become a counselor, and she plans to begin her studies at Front Range Community College.

Graham (last name withheld) is a junior at PTC with similar aspirations. He intends to study computer science at CSU after graduation.

These goals and dreams may not sound too unusual for high school students, but they're pretty remarkable for Edward, Eve and Graham. All admit that they would likely be high school dropouts if it weren't for the Poudre School District program at PTC.

PTC is one of two alternative high schools within PSD. It was formed in 1992, while the "old-timer" alternative school, Centennial, opened about 1980 as the Alternative Learning Center. This year, PTC has 65 students, while Centennial has 170. Both schools are located in Fort Collins.

High-achieving students like those interviewed above are not uncommon at the alternative high schools, according to Manny Ortega, assistant superintendent for secondary schools. Ortega said it's a misconception that students at the schools are "a troubled group of kids." In fact, he stated, typical students at PTC and Centennial are "intelligent, highly capable kids who didn't connect to a large high school. They respond to a smaller environment."

Edward agrees. "I didn't like the big school setting," he said. "It felt claustrophobic." He said that at PTC, he is friends with "pretty much everyone who comes here."

Close relationships are a common reason why students like the alternative schools. Graham said that at PTC, "teachers give you more one-on-one time and care about how you're doing." There's a lot more support there, he added, compared with other high schools. At PTC, students call teachers by their first names.

Some of the students do have troubled histories. Eve said she "messed up" in junior high, hanging out with the wrong crowd and getting into trouble. However, she went from straight Fs at a large school to earning As and Bs at PTC.

"I love that we can be ourselves here," Eve continued. "No one judges you. It's like a home and family."

The teachers at PTC, she said, are good at motivating students. Eve never thought she would finish high school, but now that she's approaching that goal, "I really want to graduate."

Some students come to PTC after dropping out of school for a time. Jodi Cloud, lead teacher at PTC, said some youth have to drop out to realize the value of an education. When they return, they are more focused and committed.

For Cloud, the most gratifying part of teaching at PTC is "seeing kids find their individuality and feeling safe about being themselves. Also, they really crank up their academics."

Cloud acknowledged that stereotypes exist about the alternative schools, but said "all these kids break that stereotype." Students really value the community at PTC and often volunteer to help with cleaning and other chores.

"You see the pride come through," she said. Most of the PTC students also work outside school, Cloud noted.

While many students at PTC have had past failures in public schools, Cloud said they "get how awesome they are" once they settle in at the alternative school. The school's mission, she explained, is to help students make changes in behavior, academics and job readiness, so they're ready for college or the workforce.

Ortega said the district has two goals regarding the alternative high schools. One is to reduce the dropout rate, and the second is to offer a small-school setting for students who struggle in a large school. "We're trying to find alternative pathways to get to graduation," he said.

Both PTC and Centennial have very personal graduation ceremonies. PTC's event includes a slide show for each graduating senior. At Centennial, some students graduate at the end of each six-week period but there's a special "rose ceremony" in May, open to all who have graduated that year. Each student presents two roses to adults who have inspired them and helped them reach their vision of graduation.

"We couldn't have done this by ourselves," said Mike Garcia in his graduation speech last spring.

Although the alternative high schools keep many students in school, they still have lower graduation rates than the larger schools. According to Ortega, the overall PSD graduation rate is 81 percent. Centennial graduates 59 percent of its students, while PTC's rate is 34 percent.

Centennial, led by Principal Mike Roberts, enrolls new students every six weeks. Those interested in transferring to the school must attend an orientation session and apply. Once accepted, each student goes through a six-week Discovery curriculum, which emphasizes personal responsibility and explores what's necessary for that student to be successful in school. Students are fully admitted to the school only after completing the Discovery program.

PTC enrolls new students every three weeks. Assistant Director Troy Krotz, who is principal of PTC in addition to several other PSD duties, reviews students' applications. New PTC students also go through an orientation process.

At the four large high schools, according to Ortega, the cost per student this year is $3,737. The alternative schools are more expensive to run, with PTC costing $4,200 per student and Centennial at $4,720. However, Ortega pointed out, students at the alternative schools also have more characteristics that create higher budgets at any PSD school. These include factors such as free and reduced lunches, special education needs and students whose native language is not English.

The benefits of the alternative schools are more difficult to measure, but as Ortega said, many students may not have graduated without these programs. There is benefit to society at large in having a better-educated workforce, since these adults have greater earning power and can contribute to the nation's economy.

And for the students themselves? According to Ortega, the value for each student who attends PTC or Centennial and earns that diploma is "immeasurable.