October 30, 2002

TC High School celebrates facility, successful program

Traverse City High School staff, students hold building open house

By Carol South
Herald contributing writer

      Traverse City High School couples block scheduling and self-paced, individualized learning with one-on-one mentoring and an internship program. This alternative approach to education reflects a move throughout the state and country away from one-size-fits-all education.
      Here in Traverse City, the school's philosophy, schedule and flexibility have many students excited about education again.
      "They make us want to work instead of force us to work," said Meggan Howell, a senior at the school attending for her first year. "I get to exercise my brain here."
      Students and staff gathered Thursday evening to celebrate their new school, now housed in the former East Bay Elementary School building. They welcomed visitors at an open house and ribbon cutting ceremony that included tours of classrooms, cafeteria, gymnasium and the Child Care Center. The Mitchell Street Caf‚ hummed with conversation as students and staff, parents and administrators mingled and snacked.
      "For our school system and the community, it's a dream come true," said James Pavelka, superintendent of Traverse City Area Public Schools. "There is a nationwide trend to realize that all students aren't cut out of the same mold. This school fills a void for an awful lot of our students."
      Traverse City High School began in 2000 with 116 students with classes held at the Boys and Girls Club for two years. This year, enrollment jumped to just over 230 students in grades 9-12, a move administrators credit to the school's new, larger home.
      Emilee Caloury, a junior at the school attending for her second year, said many students are pleased with the move to a permanent facility.
      "There is more of a structure here to what we do, it's like a school now," she noted. "People are happy to be here."
      An open enrolled school, between 40-50 students come from other school districts, including Benzie, Kingsley and Buckley. Many Traverse City High School students also participate in programs offered at the Career Tech Center, choosing to attend in the morning or afternoon as their work, study and family schedules allow.
      Traverse City High School offers core curriculum as well as electives. Students may also participate in parenting classes, field trips and community service programs. Sports programs include flag football, volleyball, basketball and softball; cheerleading is a new addition this year. A student council called Students Making Choices works closely with staff and students.
      Taking a break from celebrating, Traverse City High School principal Ron Hoth said the school has come a full circle in the 25 years he has worked in alternative education. He began working with at-risk or non-traditional students in 1967 at the Lockman Outdoor Center. In 1980, the Rainbow High School began as well; both programs were closed in 1993. Then in 1995, the Intermediate School District began the SAVE program, aimed at at-risk high school students. This evolved into Traverse City High School two years ago, whose success prompted the move to a new home.
      "At-risk kids are not necessarily kids without ability, but they have other circumstances," Hoth said. "It's encouraging to me to see a board and administration look to see what kids' needs are, not just having a school where one size fits all."
      Teacher's assistant Lana Patenaude has been with the school since it began in 2000, watching first-hand as students learned and thrived.
      "The kids open up right away here," Patenaude said. "Kids who have never liked school like it - it is a great place for these kids to learn."
      Block scheduling gets high marks from students. The school year at Traverse City High School is divided into nine-week terms, with students pacing their work on subjects during that time, meeting pre-determined educational goals. Block scheduling also helps students who have family or work commitments cluster their classroom hours.
      "The block helps me a lot because you have more time and can work one-on-one," said George Heydlauff, a 12th grade student at the school.