- Gordon Parks High School
-
Gordon Parks High School 
Established 1991 Type Alternative Learning Center Principal Micheal Thompson Faculty 41 Teaching staff 13 Students 910 (Includes summer school, 2010-11) Ages 16-20 years Location 1212 University Avenue,
Saint Paul, Minnesota, United StatesDistrict Saint Paul Public Schools Campus Urban Website www.gordonparks.spps.org Gordon Parks High School is a public alternative learning center in Saint Paul, Minnesota. The school, founded in 1991, was originally called the Saint Paul Area Learning Center. The school was named Unidale Alternative Learning Center for several years, after the local strip mall it operated in; this was often shortened to ALC Unidale.[1] In 2007, a permanent building was built for the school and it was renamed.[2] The school serves high school aged students who are categorized under "at-risk" criteria or are far behind in graduation.[3] The school is the largest of seven alternative day school programs that are run by the Saint Paul Public Schools district.[4]
Contents
Campus
The Saint Paul Area Learning Center opened on February 1, 1991. Its initial student body consisted of 500 full and part time students. The school first opened in the Unidale Mall; it was located in a leased 8,000 square feet (740 m2) building.[1] The small space was expanded at various times. The largest expansion occurred in 1997, when the building was expanded by 6,000 square feet (560 m2).[2] Eventually, the building grew to be 18,000 square feet (1,700 m2). The school, with tiny classrooms and no windows, cost the school district $300,000 in rent a year.[5] The rented space became too small, and the school district decided to build a new building; this was in part due to pressure from developers of the Unidale Mall.[2]
Along with a new building, the school was renamed. Suggestions were accepted, and the winning entry was made by social studies teacher Ted Johnson. The school was named after photographer, film director and local icon Gordon Parks. Parks grew up in Saint Paul, attending local high schools such as Mechanic Arts High School and Saint Paul Central. Parks, like many of the students the school targets, struggled with events outside of school and eventually dropped out.[6][7]
New building
Front entrance with sloping glass walls
In 2003, Saint Paul Public Schools purchased a parcel of land about a mile and half west of the Unidale Mall on University Avenue from 3M.[8] Construction for the new facility was planned to start in 2005, costing $7 million. When construction bids were higher than expected, the price tag went up to $8 million; the project was then postponed to allow for planning to reduce costs.[8][9] Construction started in late November 2006, after price concerns had been resolved.[10] The building opened in early December 2007, with a total cost of $7.5 million.[11][12] It was dedicated one day before the two year anniversary of Gordon Parks' death. He died on March 7, 2006; the building was dedicated on March 6.[13][14]
When the new building was proposed, the initial plan called for a 44,000 square feet (4,100 m2) facility.[8] The finished product featured a new gym and cafeteria in a 34,000 square feet (3,200 m2) building.[15] Ownership of the new facility is saving the Saint Paul Public Schools district $300,000 dollars from rent in the Unidale strip mall. The building also has new science labs, computer labs, and bigger art and industrial technology areas.[11]
The building was designed by Wold Architects and built by Jorgenson Construction, Inc. The sloping glass walls in the front entrance were designed to emulate the many car dealerships that are located along University Avenue. The school was built to be environmentally friendly, and the Saint Paul Public Schools district intends to apply for a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Certification.[16]
Students
The school serves students aged between 16-21.[6][7] Students who enroll must qualify under one or more "at-risk" categories. These include homelessness, pregnancy, children and chemical dependency, as well as being at least one year behind for graduation or having any other characteristic that would place a student at a disadvantage.[3] In the 2006-2007 school year roughly 279 students attended Gordon Parks High School. Sixty-two percent of students qualify for free or reduced lunch, which is the school district's measures of poverty. Eight percent of students qualify for special education.[17]
Academics
Students must finish school before turning 21 years old. In 2007, the school's 12-week trimesters were changed into smaller six week mini-terms, and then in 2011, even smaller three week terms in order to improve attendance. Students that miss more than three days in a three week mini-term do not earn full high school credit. As a result of this change, attendance increased by 100%,[18] though daily attendance is still about 50%.[17] It takes 60 hours of class work to earn one credit.[18]
The school has a closed campus. Previously students were free to come and go as they pleased, which is considered an open campus. Many students would not return after leaving for lunch. Now students must arrive by 8:00 a.m. and remain until noon, or arrive by 1:00 p.m. and stay until 5:00 p.m.. Exceptions are granted for students who are in job programs, or must take care of their family. To meet the needs of the students, the school has social workers, counselors, special education teachers, educational assistants, and on the job training.[15]
The school has developed a specific program focus that includes film, photography, writing, and art, that uses the life of Gordon Parks as an inspiration and guide.[4][5] The students of the school, in partnership with the Minnesota Historical Society, are documenting stages of transition along University Avenue through the stories of elders, business owners,[19] and residents affected by the Central Corridor (Minnesota) Light Rail Transit (CCLRT) project. The students learn more about the history of this neighborhood and document the stories of the CCLRT project that might not otherwise be told, and share the images that might not otherwise be seen.
This project, titled "Transitions: University Avenue [20]] is a multi-year project, produced entirely by students, who began by documenting the controversial stage of pre-construction along the avenue. As the construction moves forward, the students create documentaries on area residents and businesses and the impact the CCLRT has on them. The goals are to preserve important history, increase awareness of this community in transition, and highlight the work of the students of Gordon Parks High School.
GPHS partners with the Human Rights Program at the University of Minnesota in a pilot creative writing curriculum. Titled the Scribes Fellowship, the students develop writing skills and confidence by focusing on personal reflections of human rights that affect their community. Community/school gardens, sustainable agriculture and the issue of food justice are the first items explored.[21]
Spring 2011 Graduation 2011 Graduation was held at the Roy Wilkins Auditorium on June 8, 2011. The ceremony was recorded by the Saint Paul Neighborhood Network (SPNN), Cable Channel 16. Playback Dates for Gordon Parks High School and AGAPE (ALC)will be on Monday June 20, 27, July 11, 18, at 9:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m[22]
References
- ^ a b Livingston, Nacy (1990-12-19). "School Board OKs Dropout Alternative". Saint Paul Pioneer Press.
- ^ a b c Demko, Paul (2002-03-27). "Will two helping ventures fall victim to progress?". CityPages.com (City Pages). http://citypages.com/databank/23/1112/article10259.asp. Retrieved 2008-05-15.
- ^ a b Gordon Parks High School policies Gordon Parks High School. Retrieved on 2008-05-11.
- ^ a b Jan, Willms (February 2008). "Gordon Parks Alternative School a legacy to St. Paul photographer" (PDF). Midway-Como-North End Monitor (Saint Paul, Minnesota): pp. 10–11. http://monitorsaintpaul.com/Graphics%20Folder/feb08.pdf. Retrieved 2008-05-15.
- ^ a b Walsh, James (February 8, 2008) "Leader for at-risk kids can teach by example" Star Tribune. Retrieved on 2008-05-11.
- ^ a b Walsh, James (June 11, 2007) "Unidale Learning Center looking for a new name", Star Tribune
- ^ a b Staff reports (June 8, 2007), "Metro Briefing", St. Paul Pioneer Press
- ^ a b c Boldt, Megan (October 19, 2005) "Rising Expense Delays Facility — Plans for ALC will get another look" Saint Paul Pioneer Press
- ^ Johnson, Brian (November 1, 2007), "Building projects delayed because of higher costs Finance and Commerce Daily. Retrieved on 2008-05-11.
- ^ Staff reports (November 21, 2006) "Education Notes- News from schools near you" Saint Paul Pioneer Press
- ^ a b Belden, Doug (December 4, 2007) “School reborn at new site — in a larger, nicer location, St. Paul's Gordon Parks High School still serves students on unconventional paths.", Saint Paul Pioneer Press
- ^ Nelson, Tim (March 6, 2008) "New St. Paul school honors the achievements of Gordon Parks" Minnesota Public Radio. Retrieved on 2008-05-11.
- ^ Walsh, James, (March 8, 2008), "East metro school briefs", Star Tribune. Retrieved on 2008-05-11.
- ^ Francis, Delma (March 11, 2008) "New St. Paul school honors adopted son Gordon Parks" MinnPost.com. Retrieved on 2008-05-11.
- ^ a b Englund, Larry (February 6–19, 2008) "Head of the class – Newly build Gordon Parks High gives struggling teens the tools to succeed" Villager
- ^ 2007 Project of the Year: Gordon Parks High School University United. Retrieved on 2008-05-11.
- ^ a b Gordon Parks High School ALC Minnesota Department of Education. Retrieved on 2008-05-11.
- ^ a b Walsh, James (May 13, 2007) "Shadow schools — Nearly 150,000 students attend alternative learning centers in Minnesota, but are these little-noticed schools succeeding? Absenteeism is widespread, and graduation rates are hard to gauge." Star Tribune
- ^ Parrott, Andrea (May 26, 2011) http://www.tcdailyplanet.net/news/2011/05/24/healthy-eating-and-human-service-define-flamingo-st-paul
- ^ Minnesota Historical Society Press Release (April 21, 2011) "High School Students Document Change on University Avenue"
- ^ UofM Human Rights Program Events (June 2011) http://hrp.cla.umn.edu/events/
- ^ SPNN (June, 2011) http://www.spnn.org/currentnews/2011_grad_schedule.html
External links
- Gordon Parks High School official website
- Construction of Gordon Parks High School circa summer of 2007 via Google Street View
- Transitions: University Avenue, Minnesota Historical Society
- Video made by St. Paul Public Schools on Transitions Project
- GPHS School Continuous Improvement Plan (SCIP) for 2010-2011
- Human Rights Program, University of Minnesota
Coordinates: 44°57′23″N 93°09′07″W / 44.956356°N 93.152003°W
Categories:- High schools in Saint Paul, Minnesota
- Educational institutions established in 1991
- School buildings completed in 2007
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