The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Life Skills is not your traditional high school
A non-traditional high school is allowing students to study and juggle responsibilities while earning a diploma and credentials in Elyria.
“I measure success by producing contributing citizens of our community that are self advocates who illustrate strong character and are always seeking self improvement,” said Principal Crystal Garmon at Life Skills Center in Elyria. “I’m just trying to make these students better people, so they can live a better life. I see successes every day. I don’t see graduations every day.”
The 110 students work at their own pace to graduate by up to age 22, Garmon said.
Valerie Howard, a recruitment specialist at Life Skills, said flexible scheduling and self-paced study cast a wider net to help students succeed.
“Everybody doesn’t like school; they just don’t,” Howard said.
Life Skills recently added credentials in phlebotomy, patient care and EKG for students with good academics who want to enter a medical career.
On Oct. 24 in a phlebotomy room, students recruited friends and family members to practice skills.
The students in this program receive two hours of hands-on learning and two hours of instruction each day, Howard said.
Natavia Todd, 18 and a senior from Elyria, is enrolled in the medical program.
“I had a daughter so it was hard for me to attend regular school with regular hours,” Todd said. “I work, too. Later classes help me spend time with my daughter plus go to school and work. This program gave me a reason to get up because I want to be a registered nurse.”
In another room the school provides tutoring for English Language Learners through teacher Myrta Holden, who currently works with five students.
The school also bolsters students’ effectiveness by offering anger management classes and counseling, Howard said.
Enrollment happens all year, Garmon said, and Life Skills instruction extends into the summer with about three weeks off.
“It doesn’t make sense to give them a two-month break because they finish all year long,” Garmon said, explaining students finish when they meet state minimum graduation requirements such as earning 20 credits, and passing either Ohio Graduation Tests or end of course exams.
For each class students work independently on a computer with teachers there to answer questions, she said, and they can log on at home to continue studies.
“Students are finishing their classes every day,” Garmon said. “We have one big commencement for everyone.”
Those interested in more information may call Life Skills in Elyria at 440-7910559.
Howard says she loves working with the students and seeing them overcome obstacles to find a better life.
“I’m very passionate,” Howard said. “We’re doing some amazing things and people need to know that.”