Former Alternative High students still adjusting

With several weeks of classes under their belts, former students of the now defunct Lawrence Alternative High School still are struggling with the transition back into mainstream high school.

“They’re mostly complaining about the lack of one-on-one attention and the crowded hallways, just the general stuff,” said former LAHS student Taquisha Ward.

Ward and nine other students now attending LHS gathered earlier this month in a small conference room at the school with a handful of school administrators and teachers to talk about the transition.

Sweets were on the table for the group – breakfast muffins, orange juice and candy – but conversation at the table was anything but dulcet.

“I can’t stand walking down the halls here. I can’t stand it. Oh, my God,” said an exasperated Nicole Wortman, a junior.

“I think that’s why (traditional high school) didn’t work in the first place,” said senior Steven Baker. “Because we just don’t need to be in huge classes.”

While the Alternative High School usually served fewer than 100 students – last year 80 students attended the school – Lawrence and Free State High schools each have more than 1,000 students.

Those numbers have been overwhelming for many former LAHS students. Some describe a feeling of being lost in the crowd, and others say they feel more “hostile” in the crowded environment.

“Socially, I think it’s a huge adjustment for them,” LHS principal Steve Nilhas said.

Lawrence Alternative High shut down in June, after more than 30 years in operation. Alternative education programs are now being offered at both high schools instead of at the off-campus site, school district officials said.

“I think (the students) are struggling with just how things feel when it’s a big building and there are lots of people,” said former LAHS principal Judy Juneau. “I think it’s been a little stressful for them, but they’re doing a great job. They’re trying really hard.”

Juneau is working in the district part-time this year as a liaison between former LAHS students and staff members at the city’s high schools. While her position holds no specific title, Juneau’s basic responsibility is to help students ease into their new academic lives.

The students are doing pretty well, she said. They’re showing up, making it to class on time and following the rules. Most of their struggles, Juneau said, are emotional.

Where are they now?

Of the 34 Lawrence Alternative High School students who did not graduate last May:

¢ 10 now attend Lawrence High School.

¢ Eight are at Free State High School.

¢ One is in the jail detention program.

¢ 10 attend Lawrence Virtual School.

¢ Three have moved.

¢ One received a GED.

¢ One is unaccounted for.

At LAHS, “they had a routine. They knew what to expect. They could come to a small building every day, have a personal relationship with every teacher and get personal attention. All of those things are things that felt good, and those are things I know people are working on in both of the (mainstream high schools),” Juneau said.

LHS administrators said they’re working to create a warm and welcoming environment for students, while still providing structure. The challenge is in conveying warmth in such a large environment, but Nilhas said he was confident that could be done.

“It happens not because of the size of the school. It happens because of the tone you set for the school. It happens because of the people you have in the school,” he said. “You can have a school of 50, and if the staff doesn’t believe that it should be warm, it should be caring and it should be supportive, then it’s not going to happen.”

To make sure that happens at LHS, Nilhas said he’s asking students for help. What works? What doesn’t? Those are questions best answered by the students.

The students “have the opportunity here to help us build something that’s very meaningful and not only helps them but helps the students coming after them,” Nilhas said.

“None of those things happen over night,” Juneau said. “And the kids kind of want it to happen last night, you know, and it’s hard for them to be patient.”

“Me? I only have to be here until December,” a sleepy-eyed Ward said. “Hopefully it will go by really quick.”