Stem Academy in Highlands Ranch shooting

[3beansalad]

I just watched the entire interview, what an amazing young man.

Anyone have a link?

Yes, please. I can't find it online.

[hurley842002]

Yes, please. I can't find it online.

https://www.kktv.com/content/news/WATCH--509658661.html

[3beansalad]

https://www.kktv.com/content/news/WATCH--509658661.html

Thank you.

[Ramsker]

[def90]

Where I grew up in Minnesota in the 80s our neighboring school district had an “Alternative” high school, it was a school where drop outs and other kids with issues that dont perform in the regular school system could go. The teachers were teachers as well as counselors. I knew a couple of kids that went there. They were the skater/punk types who basically grew up in shitty homes. They got picked on and randomly beat up a lot in the regular high school, so much so that they both eventually dropped out. They both then went to this alternative high school and they both graduated with pretty good grades. Honestly, these two kids at the stem school and the Columbine kids sound like the same MO and they likely could have made it through high school if they were in a different social setting amoung other people like them. Misfits.. would be nice if this school concept caught on elsewhere, I imagine that this coupled with not releasing names would make a significant dent in these kinds of problems.

[Irving]

Where I grew up in Minnesota in the 80s our neighboring school district had an “Alternative” high school, it was a school where drop outs and other kids with issues that dont perform in the regular school system could go. The teachers were teachers as well as counselors. I knew a couple of kids that went there. They were the skater/punk types who basically grew up in shitty homes. They got picked on and randomly beat up a lot in the regular high school, so much so that they both eventually dropped out. They both then went to this alternative high school and they both graduated with pretty good grades. Honestly, these two kids at the stem school and the Columbine kids sound like the same MO and they likely could have made it through high school if they were in a different social setting amoung other people like them. Misfits.. would be nice if this school concept caught on elsewhere, I imagine that this coupled with not releasing names would make a significant dent in these kinds of problems.

This still exists today, but it's always changing. My little brother was the first graduating class from a Montessori high school in the early 2000's and it was exactly what you described. Shortly after that it was charter schools with that reputation. After that it was trade school. None of those really fit that description now.

[hollohas]

...they likely could have made it through high school if they were in a different social setting amoung other people like them. Misfits..

That's the entire point of charter schools like this STEM school. They don't confirm to state standards in order to provide an alternative education for kids who just don't fit in or learn well at normal public schools.

Unfortunately, the state and liberal county school boards are incredibly hostile towards charter schools. They HATE the fact that charter schools don't follow the government education model. Don't count on seeing many more "alternative" schools in Colorado. The state board just shutdown an application for one in the Boulder area for no reason at all.

[def90]

That's the entire point of charter schools like this STEM school. They don't confirm to state standards in order to provide an alternative education for kids who just don't fit in or learn well at normal public schools.

Unfortunately, the state and liberal county school boards are incredibly hostile towards charter schools. They HATE the fact that charter schools don't follow the government education model. Don't count on seeing many more "alternative" schools in Colorado. The state board just shutdown an application for one in the Boulder area for no reason at all.

That is not at all what this STEM school is about. The STEM school in Highlands Ranch is a science based curriculum for kids that want to go the science / engineering route into high school and eventually college skipping the arts and other fluff that isn't needed. It is not a school for troubled kids.

The alternative high school is part of the Burnsville Mn school district and classes were held in an older district building. It was not a charter school.

https://www.isd191.org/schools/burns...ice/about-bahs

[Gman]

As for dyed hair... I knew kids that did that to be goofy. We shaved our heads on a dare junior year (I think we lost a big game), like dozens of us. It was stupid. None of us were crying for help or thought about killing our classmates.

My wife says, "It's just hair. It grows out, can be cut off...it's not a big deal."

[hollohas]

That is not at all what this STEM school is about. The STEM school in Highlands Ranch is a science based curriculum for kids that want to go the science / engineering route into high school skipping the arts and other fluff that isn't needed. It is not a school for troubled kids.

The alternative high school is part of the Burnsville Mn school district and classes were held in an older district building. It was not a charter school.

https://www.isd191.org/schools/burns...ice/about-bahs

No, I know it wasn't for "troubled kids". But you mentioned schools with "different settings" for kids to be "amoung other people like them" where they can fit in better and that is what charter schools are.

Science and tech minded kids frequently don't fit in normal public school and can get picked on there. And some fail due to constantly getting unwanted attention. So, a STEM charter school gave their parents an option to send them to a school where they fit in better.

Charter schools that focus on other types of education exist as well.

All I'm saying, is I agree with you on the premise of your post. Alternative schools designed for different types of kids can and do help struggling kids fit in and graduate and should be more common. Should that be for "troubled" kids. Science kids. Art kids. Classical education. Or whatever.