Alternative High School A Road Less Traveled to Achievement

A foundational belief in the Farmington schools is that all students are capable of learning at high levels and that it’s the district’s job to create opportunities for students to do so. But students don’t all learn well in the same way and in the same environment. That’s why the Board of Education keeps supporting the Farmington Alternative High School, which takes students who are struggling at 10 Monteith Drive and puts them on a different route to success.

The board held its regular meeting at the Alt School Monday night to hear from a few students and get a look at the town’s investment.

The program serves 12 students and is housed in a storefront next to George’s Pizza in Unionville. The program is coordinated by Dr. Michelle Kinsella. It meets in the afternoons, functions in a small-group setting with individualized study and support from Kinsella, social worker Meg Meyers, a handful of teachers and community mentors who work with the students on jobs or internships.

For some of them, it means the difference between graduating and not. Even more, the guidance, care and experiences students receive at the school sometimes means finding a way to go forward in their lives.

“Coming from the high school, where I wasn’t succeeding …to a smaller condensed atmosphere with more help and less distraction changed my perspective on life… and about myself as well,” Luis Alvarez said.

Alvarez struggled at Farmington High School but began making honor roll at the alternate school, then graduated in 2010. Now he’s helping a Spanish-speaking student adjust to a Farmington elementary school.

“I know if this opportunity hadn’t been given to me, I wouldn’t be in the position I am in now,” he said. “I would never in a million years have told you I could have worked in a school and there I am, sitting there, helping him… I have a sense I can help somebody out like somebody helped me out."

Maggie Stovall is another recent graduate.

“For kids who might be struggling in the regular high school setting, [the alternative high school] gives them a fair chance at graduating,” she said. “With nine classes a day at 40 minutes each, you jump from place to place and everything gets thrown at you. Some need more direction than others.”

Stovall connected with local business owner and mentor Dave Gugliotti and worked with him at Caffeine's Cafe until it closed in May. Since then she’s worked with him on construction jobs.

“The refrain I’ve heard year after year is that this has been kind of a lifesaver for them,” explained Farmington High School Principal Timothy Breslin.

“The high school, for young teens moving through that stage of their life, can be super challenging,” Maggie’s father, Christopher Stovall said. “…What they can do for a child who struggled – or in some situations have more issues than you can stamp with the word struggle – the results to me are truly amazing."

Brendan Killian is scheduled to graduate this year. His mother, Marianne Killian, shared how she’s watched her son turn after some time at the school.

“I knew when Brendan hit high school he wasn’t gong to fit into the nice neat little package of a high school student,” she said. At the end of sophomore year, his grades had slipped and he started the alternate school angry and with little hope.

“They worked with him and by the end of the year, came out with some amazing results,” she said. “I’m so thankful for this program. I see kids all the time around town and think ‘they need to be in this program.’ There are kids who don’t connect in the same way but they’re smart and they need to be able to find some self-esteem… They come here and they gain some self-esteem and they’re ready for the world. It’s made a big difference in their life.”

But getting into the school is not that easy, administrators said. The school is limited by space and resources. This year, there is space for one student but FHS Assistant Principal Curt Pandiscio said, officials have identified four or five students who could really benefit from the program. Placements are made by invitation to students and parents and made at the recommendation of administrators working with teachers and guidance counselors.

“It sounds like you’ve learned what you’re capable of and you’ve learned to believe in yourselves,” said Vice-Chair Betsy Kaplan. “Luis said something that was very important to me: you don’t have a red flag on your back when you come down here and you’re not judged… It gives me a sense of pride to be on the board and support a program like this.”

Board Chairman Mary Grace Reed addressed the concern she said she heard from the students and parents about the security of the program.

“I could tell you, as students, were speaking to us,” Reed said. “There was a level of concern that this program may not be here for you. I don’t want you to be worrying about that. That’s our job… I want you to know a lot of people support you and this program and we get it.”

District administrators explained Tuesday that the program also saves the district money by meeting the needs of a few special education students, who would otherwise need to be bussed out of town to another program. Through the Alternative High School, the district is kept from having to spend money on tuition and transportation and the students are able to stay in town.

"The program maintains Farmington’s academic standards while meeting the legal requirements for those students who have a mandated special education programming. During the development stage of this innovative alternative program for students in grades 9-12, the Board of Education knew Farmington teachers and administrators could provide a better education for our students in Farmington rather than sending students to other settings. In turn, the program quickly realized savings by reducing the need for some students to attend out-of-district tuition programs," Reed said by email.

"In addition, the FAHS has had a dramatic impact on the drop-out rate in Farmington, reducing it significantly from when the program first started."