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Improvements and tools should enable SPVHS to raise the bar
| New and improved: Luis Meza, a senior at San Pedro Valley High School, during classes last week. The charter school has undergone many improvements, including 21 brand-new computers. (Thelma Grimes/photo.) |
Thelma Grimes/San Pedro Valley News-Sun
To reach beyond the standards of a regular charter school, San Pedro Valley High School has rebuilt classrooms and added new equipment to increase learning.
A few short years ago, Benson School District decided to open an alternative high school to cater to students who for whatever reason cannot function in a regular public school setting or who want to graduate early.
San Pedro Valley High School (SPVHS) is now much more than just an alternative.
The school started inside the city-owned building on the corner of 7th and Huachuca streets. It is still in the building, but inside, there is a more classroom-like setting.
The building continues to be improved, going from one big room to a classroom, a front office with a wall separating the front-desk secretary from the students, and offices for administrators and teachers.
Angela Grizzle, principal of the school, said they are excited by the improvements continually being made. Grizzle noted that while the outside of the building still needs some work, inside it is all about providing students with a strong classroom setting to help them succeed.
Besides a better building, Grizzle said the most important addition to this year's class is 21 brand-new computers, replacing all the out-dated machines the students had been using for the last few years.
"Some of the computers we had were more than 10 years old," Grizzle said. "The students in this school use computers all day, sometimes up to eight hours. We needed the new equipment. I think it also shows our students that the district does care about them."
The new computers were made possible through funding approved in the federal stimulus package, Grizzle said.
With computers, students each have their own workstations, and Grizzle said to increase academic standards, they will also be using an accelerated math program this year. For students looking to graduate early, extra steps have been taken to make sure they are ready for college.
Grizzle said students who graduate early will now have to pass a college placement exam before they can earn their high school diploma. The test is offered for free by Cochise Community College in Benson.
"Besides making sure they are ready for that next step, this test also helps the students get their feet in the door and reduce some of that intimidation to start college," Grizzle said.
Ashton Estrada is one of the students who chose to graduate early, receiving her diploma in May after attending SPVHS for several months.
Estrada, 17, said the self-paced school was perfect for meeting her objective to finish high school early.
"I only needed two more credits and would have had to stay in school another year to finish," she said. "(SPVHS) was neat because you got to do everything on your own, and it was all on you to finish."
Grizzle said attendance at SPVHS has been steady over the last three years. With a capacity for about 50 students, there are currently 40 enrolled in the new school year.
To reach beyond the standards of a regular charter school, San Pedro Valley High School has rebuilt classrooms and added new equipment to increase learning.
A few short years ago, Benson School District decided to open an alternative high school to cater to students who for whatever reason cannot function in a regular public school setting or who want to graduate early.
San Pedro Valley High School (SPVHS) is now much more than just an alternative.
The school started inside the city-owned building on the corner of 7th and Huachuca streets. It is still in the building, but inside, there is a more classroom-like setting.
The building continues to be improved, going from one big room to a classroom, a front office with a wall separating the front-desk secretary from the students, and offices for administrators and teachers.
Angela Grizzle, principal of the school, said they are excited by the improvements continually being made. Grizzle noted that while the outside of the building still needs some work, inside it is all about providing students with a strong classroom setting to help them succeed.
Besides a better building, Grizzle said the most important addition to this year's class is 21 brand-new computers, replacing all the out-dated machines the students had been using for the last few years.
"Some of the computers we had were more than 10 years old," Grizzle said. "The students in this school use computers all day, sometimes up to eight hours. We needed the new equipment. I think it also shows our students that the district does care about them."
The new computers were made possible through funding approved in the federal stimulus package, Grizzle said.
With computers, students each have their own workstations, and Grizzle said to increase academic standards, they will also be using an accelerated math program this year. For students looking to graduate early, extra steps have been taken to make sure they are ready for college.
Grizzle said students who graduate early will now have to pass a college placement exam before they can earn their high school diploma. The test is offered for free by Cochise Community College in Benson.
"Besides making sure they are ready for that next step, this test also helps the students get their feet in the door and reduce some of that intimidation to start college," Grizzle said.
Ashton Estrada is one of the students who chose to graduate early, receiving her diploma in May after attending SPVHS for several months.
Estrada, 17, said the self-paced school was perfect for meeting her objective to finish high school early.
"I only needed two more credits and would have had to stay in school another year to finish," she said. "(SPVHS) was neat because you got to do everything on your own, and it was all on you to finish."
Grizzle said attendance at SPVHS has been steady over the last three years. With a capacity for about 50 students, there are currently 40 enrolled in the new school year.
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