A unique group of graduates gathered on Kent ISD’s campus a few weeks ago. Parents and faculty were there with a warm send-off to the very first graduating class of 64 students from MySchool@Kent, a hybrid online school offered at Kent ISD.
“MySchool is a great program,” said Ana Hernandez, mother of Jocelyn Hernandez, a graduating senior from Byron Center High School. “It was her best decision to come here.”
Jocelyn is enrolled in the culinary program at the Tech Center, and also enrolled in hospitality classes offered onsite by Ferris State University. She said MySchool@Kent helped her tackle the academics.
“I had a lot on my plate,” she said. “It was perfect to come here. I could work at my own pace.” Jocelyn plans to continue taking college courses through Ferris and to finish her Hospitality Program. She hopes to enter the field of hospitality management with a background in culinary.
Fellow graduate Blair Brown said he found himself easily distracted in a traditional classroom setting. “MySchool was a lot less stressful,” he said. Brown said the staff was very supportive. “The teachers understood what I was here for.”
Brown plans to attend Grand Rapids Community College in the fall and transfer to a four-year university in the future.
“Success is different in our program,” said Scott Vashaw, director of Hybrid Schools for Kent ISD. “Many students might not be able to graduate without this program.”
MySchool is student-centered online learning, combined with some face-to-face positive relationships with Success Coaches. Both Coaches and online teachers are fully certified Michigan teachers. Students have schedule flexibility combined with academic rigor, can shape their own learning and get help when they need it.
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