Last week 30 seniors graduated with diplomas from the Kent Performance Learning Center, a non-traditional high school jointly operated by Communities In Schools in partnership with the Kent School District. To the applause of parents and friends students filed into the gymnasium, listened politely to the obligatory speeches and one-by-one received their diplomas.
One class of 2010 graduating senior, Tania Tenery, was the winner of an $8000 scholarship from the Walmart Foundation. Tania plans to pursue a Bachelor of Arts in photography at the Art Institute of Seattle. She begins classes this summer. Across the country twelve other Performance Learning Center students won Walmart scholarships as well.
The Performance Learning Center was created three years ago as an alternative to the traditional high school model. The center stresses self-paced learning that includes a business focus with job shadows, internships and dual college enrollment. All this is supported by Communities In Schools wrap-around support and gives a strong second chance to students on the verge of dropping out.
Learn more about the Performance Learning Center by viewing this video.
