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SECTION J I* U1K« - IM.AINOI M • H - I'HIDAV. JINK 9, 197H "It's Opened A, Lot Of Doors I wanted to learn independently.' 'You get to know everyone here and you can be close and on a personal basis with everyone.' Two years ago, Kathy Leahy had dropped out of West campus. She was disenchanted with the system and decided to leave school. Today, Kathy Leahy is a high school graduate, thanks to the Alternative high school of District 156. "I would have dropped out of school completely, if the Alternative school wasn't a possibility," said the eighteen- year-old student. After leaving West, Kathy talked to a counselor, who gave her a brochure dealing with the alternative school. After reading the brochure, she became interested in the possibility of attending the school. The school is a learning center for high school dropouts and other students who function in an atmosphere outside the, regular classrom. To be accepted into the program, a prospective student must be interviewed by school Director Doug Pratt, two Alternative school teachers, and three students. "The interview is a screening mechanism," says Pratt. "We are able to determine a student's motivation and his reasons for attending the school." According to school regulations, a student can only be admitted to the program at a quarter break. "If a student is denied entry to the school," continued Pratt, "he can reapply any quarter." Miss Leahy was accepted into the program and enrolled immediately. "I had wanted to learn independently," she explains. "At the Alternative school, you can work at your own pace, as long as you meet certain course requirements." This past spring, Kathy was enrolled in five classes, typing, skills lab, ecology, science fiction, and U.S. Constitution history. She also had two independent research contracts in psychology and career development. She attended school daily, Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. "The Alternative school has made me concerned with my future," Kathy says. "I will now continue my education at a college or university and major in psychology." While at the school, Kathy earned credits, enough to meet state standards for graduation. June 1, she was one of five students to graduate at the school's graduation ceremony, held at the school. Thirty students were enrolled at the school during the spring, most of whom were sophomores, juniors and seniors. According to Pratt, very few freshman attend the schooh "You can be on a personal basis at the school," explains Kathy. "You get to know everyone and you're close with everyone." "The Alternative school is a good change for the system," contends Ms. Leahy, "and education needs a change." The Alternative school is now facing funding problems. It has been fully funded under a trust from the Illinois Continental Bank and Trust. Next year, the bank will reportedly only offer partial funding, and the following year will apparently offer no funds. The school is faced with finding another permanent source of funding. "I will be really disappointed if the school isn't here next year," says Miss Leahy. She says that students who cannot learn and attend the regular school system need an alternative in education, rather than dropping out and never going back to school. "The alternative school has opened a lot of doors for me," she says. "I'm sure glad I had a chance to go there." "I would have dropped out if the alternative ̂ chool wasn't a possibility." Staff Photos By Wayne Gaylord Story By Joe Dehn "It's a good change.-Education needs a change." "It has made me concerned with my education and,future.^ I