“Now he has hope, we have hope”

 

Today, two stories that help illustrate why there’s no single best school for all students.  First, a parent speaks, then a student.

 

“We have a 10th grader who has amazing abilities in music and guitar, but he has pace and reading issues and Asperger’s. He had help in x public schools from 3rd grade on…  he was successful, had friends, and a good attitude. This was through 8th grade.”

 

“The minute he stepped into a large suburban high school, everything started to slowly go south. Due to his learning problem, he was forced to take a social skills hour , to help with homework… That took his elective. He never could… take a music course because this had to be his elective with an IEP (individual education plan). High school became  read a book, take a test. Even with an IEP…he got him SO far behind….”

 

“He gave up on school, teachers, adults, us, even though I spent most of this school year doing homework with him, e mailing teachers, reminding them he has an IEP. Meanwhile, he found the “I hate Life” crowd at school, and started having panic attacks 3 times a week, finding him crying on the bathroom floor.  … As a parent we didn’t what to do. “

 

“He lost Hope, he felt stupid, he told us he can’t learn. He also had a stigma problem (Special Ed. kids  made fun), wanted to fit in so bad…nobody could help him,.  He ended up with a C, almost B- average, but no hope or sense of accomplishment.”

 

“We checked out Main Street in Hopkins.  Some of N’s friends went there…He wanted to as well.

 

“Now he has hope, we have hope.  Music is his “major ” at Main Street. He plays his guitar in the middle of the day. He gets up an hour earlier… without complaining. “  “The school has 300 students compared to thousands.  Staff is so friendly, they knew my kid by name week one.. “

 

“Whatever your Major is, say guitar, it can be incorporated in every class, even math. Each teacher has options for projects to use your major. “

 

“So this week “N” has a project in Forensic science. He has to give a report on a real solved case. If he presents it in an artistic form, there is potential for more  points than a traditional form.  Nick is going to write a song telling the story… this is way more engaging for my son than typing up a report.

 

“Nick has had a school attitude change, in a good way. The way school operates there is so much better for him.   He was having 2-3 panic attacks/week last semester, and not one since he started at Main Street.”

 

Here’s a second story:   “I dropped out of public high school (with my parents’ permission) in 11th grade due to  the emotional stress of peer pressure and being harassed by your typical mean girls.  Wen I fought back to defend myself, the Principal punished me. ..I did not feel good about myself.

 

“One of my best friends graduated (from) Blue Sky Charter School.  She told me about her success, so I contacted the school, and enrolled.

 

Blue Sky has literally changed my life.  I can get online any time of the day or night. My schedule is much more flexible so I can work part time, do school and still have time for my family and friends…My books are always  home or where I have internet access, not left in my locker at school.  My grades are great.  No drama, no mean girls, and I have teachers that care.”

 

Over the years, hundreds of students/parents have written to me. Some succeed at district schools, some at charters.  They’ve convinced me that no school is perfect for everyone.

 

Joe Nathan, formerly a Minnesota public school teacher and administrator, directs the Center for School Change.  Reactions welcome, please comment below.