DOBSON – Alysha Barnes, 17, is the first graduate of the Adult High School program partnership between Surry Community College and Mount Airy City Schools. She will walk at the High School Equivalency and Adult High School graduation ceremony that will be held in May 2020.
Surry Community College and Mount Airy City Schools established an agreement of affiliation for the Adult High School program in 2016. Local school districts usually require 28 credits to graduate, but through the agreement of affiliation, the college can graduate students with 22 credits as required by the North Carolina State Board of Education.
“We are grateful for our robust partnership with SCC,” said Dr. Phillip Brown, chief officer of academics and human resources for Mount Airy City Schools. “The Adult High School is one shining example of how impactful our collective approach to educating all of our students is. We’re proud of Alysha and look forward to having many more find their paths to what they are meant to be.”
Barnes began the program on Jan. 22, 2019, and completed high school diploma requirements on Dec. 2. She came into the program as a junior who lacked six credits of the required 22 credit hours for a high school diploma.
“I was very relieved that I could go back to school. I cried when they told me that they were going to let me finish,” she said. “The AHS program was an easy process. It was stress free for me. Now, I’ll get to walk across the stage for graduation. I had been struggling with attendance and health problems at the high school. With the AHS program, I could take one class at a time versus doing four classes at once, which was a lot less stressful.”
The Adult High School program is for students who are lacking a few credits from high school graduation. The program is online so students can work from home and attend learning centers for instructor assistance.
“The AHS teachers really help us and care about us. I had to be in the hospital, and Ms. Barnett was calling to check on me,” Barnes said. “That really meant a lot to me and my mom.”
Instructor Diane Barnett explained that students come to them from different situations.
“Students are not being successful at their high schools for various reasons – attendance problems, health issues or social stressors,” she said. “Adult High School is a life saver for some students. It’s not for everyone, but for the dedicated student, it is. If the students will come to the labs, we will tutor them. We will help them succeed.”
Through the program, Barnes took English 3 and 4, American history 1 and 2, math 3 and physical science. The Adult High School effort is administered through a program called Apex High School, a provider that is contracted through Surry Community College for a number of student seats. Proctors are required for exams, which can be taken at the Adult High School labs.
“I liked the online format,” said Barnes. “You do have to be disciplined and take notes, but you can go at your own pace. My goal was to earn all my credits by the end of November, and I had to take final exam on Dec. 2. So, I stuck to my goal, and I am so proud of that. I am the first of my family to graduate with a high school diploma.”
If Barnes would have stayed at Mount Airy High School, she would have finished credits in May 2020, so Adult High School fast-tracked her academic plans by allowing her to complete the credits a semester early.
“Alysha was a model student. She came with a plan and was determined to complete it,” Barnett said. “She proved that you can definitely be successful in this program. This program requires commitment and hard work, and she proved herself. She also helped other students who needed support during the program.”
Since her mom is a Certified Nursing Assistant, Barnes has been inspired to go into nursing as well. She will begin the CNA I class at The Pilot Center this month, tuition-free. The first class taken by an HSE or AHS graduate is paid by the SCC Foundation in an effort to help the student get started on a college career path and/or seek a workforce training credential. She plans to also obtain a CNA II credential and hopes to continue her studies to become a Registered Nurse.
“I would like to continue to get a BSN and a master’s degree and eventually be a nurse anesthetist,” she said.
While enrolled as an Adult High School student, Barnes worked at Magical Moments Learning Academy, a daycare in Mount Airy for 20 hours per week from April to December. Her salary was paid by the NCWorks NextGen program, the Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act Youth program. Through NextGen, she was also able to go on a trip to Washington, D.C., with other Adult High School students.
Fifteen students are enrolled at the Mount Airy Adult High School location, which is located in the Mount Airy City Schools Community Central Office on Riverside Drive. The Mount Airy location also provides services for students who are pursuing a High School Equivalency diploma. About 40 students are enrolled in the program at five locations throughout Surry and Yadkin counties that also include Elkin Center, Pilot Center, SCC main campus in Dobson, and Yadkin Center.
To begin the program, students attend an orientation session and meet with Jennifer Pardue, Adult High School coordinator, who will evaluate the student’s high school transcripts and determine eligibility. The cost of the program is free to the students. For more information, contact Pardue at 336-386-3674 or parduejs@surry.edu.
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Source: https://www.mtairynews.com
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