Another chance at school

Tucked away in a former Spokane Transit Authority building on busy Bowdish Road is a unique and innovative high school.

There is no gym, cafeteria, or football field; there aren’t even any classrooms.

But for the students and staff, education is about more than traditional surroundings.

Visitors accustomed to mainstream schools might be surprised to hear students say, “Hey Cleve,” when Principal Cleve Penberthy makes his way through the warren of offices, tables and mismatched furniture that serves as classrooms.

“It’s all about mutual respect,” Penberthy said of the staff being on a first-name basis with students. “These are kids who’ve not been respected a lot.”

There are 425 students enrolled in CBE from 16 school districts in Eastern Washington, and 100 kids are on a waiting list. The school provides thousands of dollars worth of bus tokens to students each year.

Contract Based Education is for kids who for myriad reasons aren’t able to succeed in a traditional school setting.

“We’ve got students who work full time to support themselves, teen parents, and kids who’ve been expelled from other schools,” Penberthy said.

Students are required to sign a contract that states they will complete approximately 25 hours of schoolwork per week. Teachers work closely with students, emphasizing personal and social growth as well as academics.

The first class that all students must complete is called “New Endings.”

Penberthy tells them, “I can’t go back and rewrite your story; your beginnings are done. Can we start piecing together a new ending?”

He calls CBE a way to hold on to kids who were slipping through the cracks.

Carissa Sherman, 16, is one such student. Nestled on a couch, she caught up on her history reading and said she enjoys CBE because “I don’t have to be here six hours a day, and I don’t have to worry about other people.”

Bryce Cutghall, 17, agreed.

“It’s easier than going to normal school – way easier to get through the day,” he said.

The students here have to meet state graduation requirements, including passing the Washington Assessment of Student Learningl. Referring to the No Child Left Behind Act, a frustrated Penberthy said of his students, “My kids have already been left behind.”

The school gets its funding from the West Valley School District, and the staff does its best to stretch every dollar.

A downstairs office is home to a science lab without running water. Teacher Jaya Smith said, “I have to haul water farther here than I did when I was in the Peace Corp in Vanuatu.”

In addition to basic requirements, the school offers fine arts credits like Marty Zeller’s Improv Basics class. Teacher Sherri Wagemann said, “I’ve got students who love this class. They don’t miss it!”

A grant from the Washington Arts Commission allowed the school to hire Zeller, from the Blue Door Theatre.

“This class gives kids a voice to tell their stories through their monologues,” Wagemann said.

Another popular group is the Mommy’s Group led by Carolyn Lanes. She has 17 girls enrolled who range in age from 14 to 18.

“When they get pregnant, their whole social structure changes,” she said.

“The moms in this group are still dealing with teenage issues. It’s really hard to parent and go to school.”

The Mommy’s Group participates in activities like bowling and brings in guests to teach topics such as infant massage, proper nutrition for mothers and babies, and the importance of reading to kids.

“If the emotional needs of the students aren’t met, then they can’t learn,” Lanes said.

“For a lot of kids this is their last chance. I feel like I’m making a difference here,” Wagemann said.

According to Sadie Porter, 16, the difference is enormous.

She had no chance of graduating from her former school. Things are different for her at CBE.

“The one-on-one time with teachers helps me accomplish more,” she said.

She proudly added, “I’m in Running Start now.”