PART TWO

Foothill Middle College is filled with a diverse range of people and age groups, so coming from a school with people all the same ages could be a hard adjustment. Camron claims that one of the hardest things that he had to do was adjusting to the social scene at Foothill. Camron feels that there is less community building at alternative schools, as most students at alternative schools are there to gain a more beneficial learning experience other than socializing. According to the Center for Evaluation and Education Policy at Indiana University, “Alternative education as not at all second-rate, but whose focus expands beyond the academic to consider the needs of the whole child— social, emotional, … support” (Cable et al.). This source shows how alternative education doesn’t just focus on the education but also the emotional state of the students. From talking to Camron he feels his typical school day is not as exciting compared to his time at Mountain View. Camron states, “I get my lunch and then I’ll go sit in my car and do homework because there’s not really anything else to do” ( Camron). Camron’s daily lunch routine at Foothill strongly contrasts his lunch experience when he was at Mountain View, as he would be with close friends during lunch rather than sitting alone in his car. Due to the fact that Foothill is a commuter campus, the Middle College experience sometimes lacks a strong social environment.

Next quarter Carmon will be taking English, Principles of Business and Chemistry. He is taking on a new load of classes next fall as he enters his senior year at Middle college. Nevertheless, Camron feels more confident in himself entering college the following year as he will have two more years of college classes under his belt than his peers at Mountain View.

By taking challenging courses, Camron is developing important critical thinking, problem solving, and communication skills that will help him in his career path. It’s admirable to see him taking control of his education and making the most of his opportunities. With his strong work ethic and dedication to learning, he is setting himself up for success both academically and professionally. Also, alternative education offers an abundance of unique opportunities to explore different subjects and career paths that traditional education may not provide. By Camron taking advantage of these opportunities, he is acquiring a diverse range of skills and experiences. Ultimately, Jason’s dedication to his education and pursuit of his passions demonstrate the power of alternative education to help students reach their full potential through alternative education.