With a student-teacher ratio of 10-to-1 and an “intensive care” educational environment that includes wraparound services specifically designed for each student, the Winston-Salem Street School is making a positive dent in the number of students who are on the verge of or have already dropped out of their high school and yet still dream of a brighter future.
“Our students are going through some weighty stuff. About 70% of them live below the poverty level, so that’s one big barrier for them,” said Mike Foster, executive director of the nonprofit. “And in addition to their socioeconomic situation, most come from either broken homes or nontraditional homes where there’s not really much accountability, structure or framework of any kind. Some are trying to distance themselves from gang activities, others have depression and anxiety. Most have to deal with transportation issues, food insecurity and a general lack of basic needs that keep them from functioning in a traditional school setting. Our goal is to help them graduate and then move on to college or the military or into the workforce.”
The private alternative high school serves the greater Winston-Salem area. Since its founding 22 years ago, nearly 400 students have graduated from the tuition-free program, helping them move out of the oppressive cycle of crime, poverty and despair.
The school is governed by community leaders through a board of directors, is accredited and is a member of the National Association of Street Schools, which is an organization focused on supporting at-risk youth by building a network of schools that offer personalized education, life skills and career prep to reduce dropout rates. At any given time, there are typically 70 students enrolled in the high school classes and another 50 in the online adult program.
“This is not a GED program either,” Foster said. “It is an accredited high school that helps keep kids from falling through the proverbial cracks.”
Foster said the school receives no state or federal funding, relying on individual and corporate donations, in-kind support and occasional grants for its survival. With enrollment having doubled in the last few years alone, funding continues to be an ongoing challenge.
The school will host its 9th annual Share the Love gala from 6:30 to 10 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 14, at Old Town Club. Cory Russell, a 2010 program graduate and now vice chair of the school’s board of directors, will be the guest speaker. Guests will have the opportunity to bid on a variety of auction items including golf trips, concert tickets, private dinners and more. Anyone interested in becoming a sponsor, attending the gala, bidding on auction items or just learning more about the school can visit wsstreetschool.org or contact Cathy Coles (Street School development director) at 336.721.1110.
Students at the school attend classes from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday. The smaller-sized classes allow teachers the opportunity to work closely with each student, identifying issues that need to be addressed.
“Since there’s not a lot of accountability or structure at home for many of our students, we sort of become that missing piece for them,” he said. “We have expectations and guidelines like any other school. Our students have to work hard and earn it, but there’s also a space for grace here, too. We know they are going through some pretty heavy stuff.”
The school has a staff of 19 full- and part-time employees, including teachers, as well as two volunteer counselors to help the students navigate life in general.
For more information, please visit wsstreetschool.org.
