They all had their own reasons for dropping out: Megan fell in with the wrong crowd, Jennifer's dad died, Janae was told she wasn't smart enough. And the stories go on.
But at the Life Skills Center in Clearwater, Florida, these stories with different beginnings all had the same ending: a high school diploma.
"Life Skills is a charter school under Pinellas County that offers students an alternative school setting where they can attend school for three to five hours a day year-round to help work around work and family obligations," the
Clearwater Beacon reported. "Specialized teachers supervise the class and offer one-on-one help for students struggling with the material."
On August 20, 2008, the Life Skills Center opened with just six students. Today there are more than three hundred. Janae not only has her diploma, but also her CNA (certified nursing assistant) certificate, the
Beacon reported. Her goal is to attend college, get a bachelor's degree, and become a registered nurse. Though she was once homeless, she now has a cottage apartment of her own.
Labels: education, students