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STUDENT VOICES
Bonnie had not yet thought seriously about a career. But she knew that she wanted "broader horizons" and a chance to attend college. "My Mom had me when she was young, so she got her GED," she explains. "I haven't seen my father since I was five. My mother was my role model. Even though she received her GED, it was only to start college early so that the two of us could be independent from my grandparents. I admire her for that. However, because of the sacrifice she made, my entire family determined that I would go through all four year of high school and college—and I would like it!" When Bonnie's aunt in Vero Beach, Florida, told the family about Indian River Charter High School, Bonnie moved in with her in order to attend. Bonnie was particularly attracted to the school's dual enrollment program. Through a unique arrangement with Indian River Community College (IRCC), students at Indian River Charter High School can earn college credit while in high school. Not all students qualify for the program, but it offers additional challenge for those who do. Bonnie did qualify for dual enrollment, and she began classes at IRCC soon after completing required courses at the high school. "I felt like I had to prove that some high schoolers can handle college work," Bonnie explains. "Some can't. But that's the whole point of Charter." Each student at "Charter" has an individual learning plan based on his or her own learning style, aptitudes, needs, and interests. For students like Bonnie, who have advanced academic skills, the school encourages a rigorous curriculum that takes advantage of dual enrollment. For those who are behind in academic skills, a program emphasizing reading, writing and math skills is established. Bonnie admits that she faced some doubters: "I worked twice as hard to prove them wrong." And, she adds, "I think I succeeded." Bonnie also credits the high school's career class with helping her to discover her interest in journalism. In "Career," Bonnie completed interest inventories, researched potential careers, and created a career portfolio. She then presented her career plan to a panel of professionals from the community. As a result, Bonnie was able to focus her efforts at IRCC on English and journalism. Perhaps most of all, Bonnie appreciates the unique climate at Charter. "We have so much freedom," she explains. "It's more college-structured." Because of the need to accommodate students' courses at IRCC, classes at the high school are conducted from morning until evening, and each student plans his or her own schedule on a weekly basis.
"You're also more free to be expressive," Bonnie adds. "The problem with where I was living before is that you were always being classified into something. It's really nice [here], because we have a policy. You have to sign a contract to always be respectful. Part of what Charter teaches is that nobody's talents are better than anyone else's." When asked how she's changed since starting at Indian River Charter
High School, Bonnie remarks that she is happier. "I used to be
really, really depressed a lot of the time. I would lie around a lot.
It wasn't like anyone did anything to me. I didn't have a reason why.
. . . Since I've moved here, my family is like, 'What happened to you?
You got a personality!'" She adds, "I guess I've come out
of my shell." In May, Bonnie graduated from Indian River Charter High School with a full Associate of Arts degree in journalism and a college scholarship. She is currently attending a four-year college in Arkansas, where she is enrolled in advanced courses. Although she misses Indian River and her familiar social niche, Bonnie maintains, "Dual enrollment was a huge asset to me. I believe that it has better prepared me for college life. And, I feel that I am adjusting to college study habits better than most college freshman do. Because of dual enrollment, I was forced to set a higher academic standard for myself."
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