Gordon Parks High School

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Gordon Parks High School
View of the entire building along University Avenue
Established 1991
Type Alternative Learning Center
Principal Steve Lindberg
Faculty 36
Students 279
Ages 16-20 years
Location 1212 University Avenue,
Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States
District Saint Paul Public Schools
Campus Urban
Website www.gordonparks.spps.org

Gordon Parks High School is a public alternative learning center in Saint Paul, Minnesota. The school, founded in 1991, was originally called the Saint Paul Area Learning Center. The school was named Unidale Alternative Learning Center for several years, after the local strip mall it operated in; this was often shortened to ALC Unidale.[1] In 2007, a permanent building was built for the school and it was renamed.[2] The school serves high school aged students who are categorized under "at-risk" criteria or are far behind in graduation.[3] The school is the largest of seven alternative day school programs that are run by the Saint Paul Public Schools district.[4]

Contents

[edit] Campus

The Saint Paul Area Learning Center opened on February 1, 1991. Its initial student body consisted of 500 full and part time students. The school first opened in the Unidale Mall; it was located in a leased 8,000 square feet (740 m²) building.[1] The small space was expanded at various times. The largest expansion occurred in 1997, when the building was expanded by 6,000 square feet (560 m²).[2] Eventually, the building grew to be 18,000 square feet (1,700 m²). The school, with tiny classrooms and no windows, cost the school district $300,000 in rent a year.[5] The rented space became too small, and the school district decided to build a new building; this was in part due to pressure from developers of the Unidale Mall.[2]

Along with a new building, the school was renamed. Suggestions were accepted, and the winning entry was made by Social Studies teacher Ted Johnson. The school was named after photographer, film director and local icon Gordon Parks. Parks grew up in Saint Paul, attending local high schools such as Saint Paul Central. Parks, like many of the students the school targets, struggled in school and eventually dropped out.[6][7]

[edit] New building

Front entrance with sloping glass walls
Front entrance with sloping glass walls

In 2003, Saint Paul Public Schools purchased a parcel of land about a mile and half west of the Unidale Mall on University Avenue from 3M.[8] Construction for the new facility was planned to start in 2005, costing $7 million. When construction bids were higher than expected, the price tag went up to $8 million; the project was then postponed to allow for planning to reduce costs.[8][9] Construction started in late November of 2006, after price concerns had been resolved.[10] The building opened in early December 2007, with a total cost of $7.5 million.[11][12] It was dedicated one day before the two year anniversary of Gordon Parks' death. He died on March 7, 2006; the building was dedicated on March 6.[13][14]

When the new building was proposed, the initial plan called for a 44,000 square feet (4,100 m²) facility.[8] The finished product featured a new gym and cafeteria in a 34,000 square feet (3,200 m²) building.[15] Ownership of the new facility is saving the Saint Paul Public Schools district $300,000 dollars from rent in the Unidale strip mall. The building also has new science labs, computer labs, and bigger art and industrial technology areas.[11]

The building was designed by Wold Architects and built by Jorgenson Construction, Inc. The sloping glass walls in the front entrance were designed to emulate the many car dealerships that are located along University Avenue. The school was built to be environmentally friendly, and the Saint Paul Public Schools district intends to apply for a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Certification.[16]

[edit] Students

The school serves students aged between 16-21.[6][7] Students who enroll must qualify under one or more "at-risk" categories. These include homelessness, pregnancy, children and chemical dependency, as well as being at least one year behind for graduation or having any other characteristic that would place a student at a disadvantage.[3] In the 2006-2007 school year roughly 279 students attended Gordon Parks High School. Sixty-two percent of students qualify for free or reduced lunch, which is the school district's measures of poverty. Eight percent of students qualify for special education.[17]

[edit] Academics

Students must finish school before turning 21 years old. In 2007, the school's 12-week trimesters were changed into smaller six week mini-terms in order to improve attendance. Students that miss more than seven days in a six week mini-term do not earn full high school credit. As a result of this change, attendance increased by 100%,[18] though daily attendance is still about 50%.[17] It takes 60 hours of class work to earn one credit.[18]

The school has a closed campus. Previously students were free to come and go as they pleased, which is considered an open campus. Many students would not return after leaving for lunch. Now students must arrive by 9:30 a.m., and remain for the entire day. Exceptions are granted for students who are in job programs, or must take care of their family. To meet the needs of the students, the school has social workers, counselors, special education teachers, educational assistants, and on the job training.[15] The school has plans to develop a specific program focus by the 2008-2009 school year. Suggestions include film, photography or writing, all suggested to commemorate its namesake, Gordon Parks.[5][4]

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b Livingston, Nacy. "School Board OKs Dropout Alternative", Saint Paul Pioneer Press, 1990-12-19. Retrieved on 2008-05-15. 
  2. ^ a b c Demko, Paul. "Will two helping ventures fall victim to progress?", CityPages.com, City Pages, 2002-03-27. Retrieved on 2008-05-15. 
  3. ^ a b Gordon Parks High School policies Gordon Parks High School. Retrieved on 2008-05-11.
  4. ^ a b Jan, Willms. "Gordon Parks Alternative School a legacy to St. Paul photographer" (PDF), Midway-Como-North End Monitor, February 2008, pp. 10-11. Retrieved on 2008-05-15. 
  5. ^ a b Walsh, James (February 8, 2008) "Leader for at-risk kids can teach by example" Star Tribune. Retrieved on 2008-05-11.
  6. ^ a b Walsh, James (June 11, 2007) "Unidale Learning Center looking for a new name", Star Tribune
  7. ^ a b Staff reports (June 8, 2007), "Metro Briefing", St. Paul Pioneer Press
  8. ^ a b c Boldt, Megan (October 19, 2005) "Rising Expense Delays Facility — Plans for ALC will get another look" Saint Paul Pioneer Press
  9. ^ Johnson, Brian (November 1, 2007), "Building projects delayed because of higher costs Finance and Commerce Daily. Retrieved on 2008-05-11.
  10. ^ Staff reports (November 21, 2006) "Education Notes- News from schools near you" Saint Paul Pioneer Press
  11. ^ a b Belden, Doug (December 4, 2007) “School reborn at new site — in a larger, nicer location, St. Paul's Gordon Parks High School still serves students on unconventional paths.", Saint Paul Pioneer Press
  12. ^ Nelson, Tim (March 6, 2008) "New St. Paul school honors the achievements of Gordon Parks" Minnesota Public Radio. Retrieved on 2008-05-11.
  13. ^ Walsh, James, (March 8, 2008), "East metro school briefs", Star Tribune. Retrieved on 2008-05-11.
  14. ^ Francis, Delma (March 11, 2008) "New St. Paul school honors adopted son Gordon Parks" MinnPost.com. Retrieved on 2008-05-11.
  15. ^ a b Englund, Larry (February 6-19, 2008) "Head of the class – Newly build Gordon Parks High gives struggling teens the tools to succeed" Villager
  16. ^ 2007 Project of the Year: Gordon Parks High School University United. Retrieved on 2008-05-11.
  17. ^ a b Gordon Parks High School ALC Minnesota Department of Education. Retrieved on 2008-05-11.
  18. ^ a b Walsh, James (May 13, 2007) "Shadow schools — Nearly 150,000 students attend alternative learning centers in Minnesota, but are these little-noticed schools succeeding? Absenteeism is widespread, and graduation rates are hard to gauge." Star Tribune

[edit] External links