Students of The Crossing, an alternative high school, are now being bused from South Bend to Elkhart after the South Bend location was forced to close.
By Dustin Grove (grove@wsbt.com)
Story Created: Jul 27, 2009 at 5:41 PM EDT
Story Updated: Jul 27, 2009 at 5:46 PM EDT
SOUTH BEND — It’s back to class for dozens of local students enrolled in an alternative school in South Bend. But this year, they’ll have to cross the county line.
The Crossing is a school for students who aren’t succeeding in the traditional classroom. It’s designed for students who “work better in a small, self-paced environment with individual assistance from state-certified teachers,” according to the program’s informational concept brochure.
In the last six years, The Crossing has expanded to seven locations across Northern Indiana and partnered with 11 school districts. This summer, its South Bend school had to close because the city’s school corporation voted not to partner with the program.
So Monday morning, administrators picked up students in South Bend and bused them to The Crossing in Elkhart. Administrators say they’re counting on public support to help fund tuition and transportation costs.
“There are too many kids dropping out of the traditional school environment,” said Executive Director Rob Staley. “The dropout rate in this city (South Bend) is scary to say the least, and we think somebody needs to take up the cause.”
Staley said leaving the South Bend campus freed up $100,000, but additional support will be needed.
At the bus stop Monday morning, as Bill Ciszszon watched his daughter board the bus, he said he’s thankful for the alternative school’s commitment to its students.
“It was difficult. I know they’ve been scrambling ever since the school board vote to find a place,” he said. “But this is an alternative for this year then they hope to get back into the South Bend area as early as next year.”
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