3/25/08

Plain Dealer

Thomas Ott

The Cleveland schools’ all-male Ginn Academy gets all the attention. Folks fawn over the high school boys in their ties and bright red blazers.

But don’t overlook another unique group of students on the second floor.

Promise Academy, upstairs from Ginn on East 32nd Street, was launched a year ago as an alternative high school for students who have dropped out or are likely to quit. The 500 male and female students are 16 to 21 years old.

Some already are parents; others wearied of violence and distractions in their previous schools.

The teenagers and young adults report in three-hour shifts throughout the day, starting at 9 a.m., a schedule that allows them also to go to jobs or take care of children. They study mostly on computer, with teachers rotating among classrooms to answer questions. Students also work online at home.

Though run by the district, Promise Academy is a charter school with its own board. That gives the school flexibility to alter its school day and programs and compete with independent, privately owned charters. Cleveland schools chief Eugene Sanders started a similar school in Toledo when he was superintendent there.

The students, including some from the suburbs, graduate as soon as they complete remaining coursework, pass subject exams and master the Ohio Graduation Test. More than a dozen have earned diplomas since the school opened, and at least another 21 are expected to finish in May, guidance counselor Denise Early said. About half of the graduates have gone to college.

The students make the most of their second chances.

Classrooms are full but quiet as students busy themselves at computers lining the walls. Principal Kamal Chatman said the school has had no fights and that no teachers have been assaulted.

“The students are here, for the most part, because they choose to come here,” Chatman said. “They choose to abide by the rules.”

Hakeem Woodland, 18, said he transferred in last year from Glenville High School because Glenville was too violent. Woodland hopes to graduate in May and study mechanical engineering in college.

DiCarlo Johnson, on the other hand, said he grew too comfortable during three years at Lincoln-West High School. He was more interested in socializing than studying. His grades slipped from B’s and C’s to D’s and F’s.

Johnson, 19, said his mother suggested the transfer. Promise Academy has sharpened his focus, he said.

“Basically, you’re teaching yourself,” said Johnson, who has to pass two more courses before he can go to college and pursue a business degree. “If you don’t put in the effort, you won’t pass.”

Another Lincoln-West transfer, Russell Whisenant III, chose Promise Academy because it would let him work quickly on his own and make up for lost time.

Whisenant, 17, transferred from a Catholic high school to Lincoln-West in the 10th grade when money got tight, but his family still owed tuition. The parochial school refused to release his transcripts, so he did not get credit. He completed two years at Lincoln-West but still had two years to go.

Whisenant switched to Promise Academy in October, shifted into high gear and expects to graduate in the fall. He plans to attend college and study business.

Promise Academy opened with a handful of students and now has 100 on a waiting list. The district will consider eventually moving Promise or Ginn academies, and maybe both, so they can grow, Sanders said.