students didn’t graduate high school in Indiana. But an alternative school is hoping to change that. “The Crossing” is opening its 5th high school in South Bend this fall inside the Kroc Center. The nontraditional high school offers students a different path to earning their diploma. Mentors said the new school at Kroc Center is a perfect fit – not only does it share a common vision and mission with The Crossing, its west side location offers easier access for students. There are 18 Crossing locations in northern Indiana, and since 2003 the school graduated 260 students. Classes at Kroc Center will take place in the Digital Arts Studio. Each student only attends class three days a week for a few hours at a time and with an average of 25 people per class. The program works one on one with students to develop more than book smarts. “It’s sending me down the right path cause I was going wrong and The Crossing has changed me a lot,” said Martay Butler. Butler is in his second month in the program and already sees a difference in his own life. “We’re not just teaching, we’re here to change behaviors, attitudes and how our students treat other people,” said Rob Staley, executive director of The Crossing. Thanks to a partnership with the South Bend Community School Corporation, the Crossing will enroll student’s tuition free. They don’t want to take away people from traditional schools so they ask students not enrolled in high school to look into the program. The Crossing will enroll students at its new Kroc Center campus from 11 a.m.- 4 p.m. on Tuesday, September 11th and Wednesday, September 12th. The first day for students at the Crossing at the Kroc Center will be Monday, October 22.]]>
