Latest news with #Learn4Life
Business Wire
28-05-2025
- General
- Business Wire
64 Percent More Foster Students Graduate from Learn4Life High Schools
LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Only half of youth in foster care in the U.S. will graduate high school – and within the first year, 20 percent will be homeless and 25 percent will be incarcerated. A startling 71 percent of girls will be pregnant by age 21. 1 Learn4Life, a network of 80+ public high schools, has a far different story to tell. Their graduation rate for foster youth is 82 percent – and even during the pandemic was at 80 percent – yet traditional high schools hover at 50 percent. The answers – personalized learning, flexibility and consistent support from the school counseling and student services staff – according to Jaspreet Kaur, school counseling coordinator at Learn4Life. 'Many foster students have experienced frequent school changes and are significantly behind in credits. That's why we begin by evaluating their strengths and learning styles to develop a personalized education plan,' she explained. 'Flexibility is key, as these students often face unstable living situations and other challenges. We allow them to schedule their coursework and teacher meetings in a way that fits their unique circumstances.' Learn4Life has a lower student-to-school counselor ratio that most schools, allowing them to spend more time with each student and provide the help they need – academically, emotionally and in planning their future. 'Foster students often fall through the cracks in traditional high schools, which typically lack the capacity to offer personalized support,' she said. 'In fact, foster youth are suspended or expelled at three times the rate of their peers. Our model is different; we have a very low suspension rate. Since our approach resembles a college setting with a focus on independent study, students aren't pressured to keep pace with others, which reduces frustration. As a result, we rarely see the behavioral issues that are common in more traditional high school environments.' May is Foster Care Awareness Month, a time to focus on foster families and the challenges the youth face. Kaur points out that most of their lives they have dealt with uncertainty, found themselves in horrible situations through no fault of their own. Plus, since they move around frequently, they're often the new kid in school which leads to bullying. 'We understand that it's going to be hard for any student to focus on school when they're home life is lacking stability,' she said. 'Our schools often become a second home to all our students.' Kaur says that Learn4Life keeps in touch with all its students for two or more years after they graduate, to help them find community resources, apply for financial aid or scholarships, enroll in college or trade school and anything they can to help them make the transition into adulthood. 'Career technical education (CTE) in high school is especially important for foster youths, since at the age of 18 or 21 in some states, they likely will be on their own financially,' she added. Current statistics show 50 percent of foster youths as unemployed by age 24. 1 'We want to help them find a career path long before that,' she said. 'Learn4Life schools offer CTE pathways in an array of careers, such as nursing and dental assistants, culinary, construction, IT, media arts and even robotics.'
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
64 Percent More Foster Students Graduate from Learn4Life High Schools
Personalized learning, flexibility and extra counseling among the reasons LOS ANGELES, May 28, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Only half of youth in foster care in the U.S. will graduate high school – and within the first year, 20 percent will be homeless and 25 percent will be incarcerated. A startling 71 percent of girls will be pregnant by age 21.1 Learn4Life, a network of 80+ public high schools, has a far different story to tell. Their graduation rate for foster youth is 82 percent – and even during the pandemic was at 80 percent – yet traditional high schools hover at 50 percent. The answers – personalized learning, flexibility and consistent support from the school counseling and student services staff – according to Jaspreet Kaur, school counseling coordinator at Learn4Life. "Many foster students have experienced frequent school changes and are significantly behind in credits. That's why we begin by evaluating their strengths and learning styles to develop a personalized education plan," she explained. "Flexibility is key, as these students often face unstable living situations and other challenges. We allow them to schedule their coursework and teacher meetings in a way that fits their unique circumstances." Learn4Life has a lower student-to-school counselor ratio that most schools, allowing them to spend more time with each student and provide the help they need – academically, emotionally and in planning their future. "Foster students often fall through the cracks in traditional high schools, which typically lack the capacity to offer personalized support," she said. "In fact, foster youth are suspended or expelled at three times the rate of their peers. Our model is different; we have a very low suspension rate. Since our approach resembles a college setting with a focus on independent study, students aren't pressured to keep pace with others, which reduces frustration. As a result, we rarely see the behavioral issues that are common in more traditional high school environments." May is Foster Care Awareness Month, a time to focus on foster families and the challenges the youth face. Kaur points out that most of their lives they have dealt with uncertainty, found themselves in horrible situations through no fault of their own. Plus, since they move around frequently, they're often the new kid in school which leads to bullying. "We understand that it's going to be hard for any student to focus on school when they're home life is lacking stability," she said. "Our schools often become a second home to all our students." Kaur says that Learn4Life keeps in touch with all its students for two or more years after they graduate, to help them find community resources, apply for financial aid or scholarships, enroll in college or trade school and anything they can to help them make the transition into adulthood. "Career technical education (CTE) in high school is especially important for foster youths, since at the age of 18 or 21 in some states, they likely will be on their own financially," she added. Current statistics show 50 percent of foster youths as unemployed by age 24.1 "We want to help them find a career path long before that," she said. "Learn4Life schools offer CTE pathways in an array of careers, such as nursing and dental assistants, culinary, construction, IT, media arts and even robotics." For more information about Learn4Life and its personalized learning model, visit 1 View source version on Contacts Ann Abajianpr@ 559-903-7893 Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Associated Press
19-03-2025
- Automotive
- Associated Press
Revving Up Car Culture Keeps Teens Engaged in High School
Can something as simple as building car models help keep high schoolers engaged and successful in school? At three Learn4Life schools in northern Los Angeles, it seems to be working. They have a robust car model program that is popular with students and hailed by teachers as a good way to keep kids engaged. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: Students at Learn4life participating in the car model program. (Photo: Business Wire) 'It's a fun elective and it has been great for mentorship and helping keep kids away from gangs,' said Anthony Castaneda, who teaches the class. 'We've seen students who were shy and withdrawn come alive in this program, discovering new talents and boosting their self-confidence.' Castaneda is a student retention specialist whose job at Learn4Life is to work with students to make sure they are coming to school, turning in their homework and completing tests. One of his colleagues gave him the idea – to tie into the huge car culture in L.A. and let teens learn about cars while designing their dream auto. 'It's sort of like the MTV show Pimp My Ride, just on a smaller scale,' he said. 'They must earn a specific number of credits to participate, so those kids in the program are focused on schoolwork and even look forward to coming to school.' Creating car models isn't just a guy thing – almost half the students in the program are girls. 'The girls tend to be more detail-oriented and are really good with finish work like airbrushing,' said Castaneda. 'All the students are developing life skills like patience, attention to detail and following instructions. But what I especially like to see is how they are developing friendships with others in the class.' The 10-week course meets twice a week for 60-90 minutes, plus they take field trips to automotive museums and body shops. A highlight this year was a visit to West Coast Customs, the premiere automotive custom shop known for creating one-of-a-kind cars for celebrities, sports stars and even royalty. 'Their huge facility is filled with amazing automobiles,' he said. 'Some of the students didn't want to leave. It has sparked an interest in pursuing a career in the automotive industry for several students.' At each of Learn4Life's 85 public schools, there is at least one student retention specialist like Castaneda. 'We know that teens learn best by doing and collaborating, so fun classes where they can explore their creativity help make that happen,' he said. For more information about Learn4Life and its personalized learning model, visit About Learn4Life Learn4Life is a network of nonprofit public high schools that provide students personalized learning, career training and life skills. Each school is locally controlled, tuition free and gives students the flexibility and one-on-one attention they need to succeed. Serving more than 64,000 students through a year-round program, we help them prepare for a future beyond high school. For more information, please visit Ann Abajian, Learn4Life SOURCE: Learn4Life Copyright Business Wire 2025. PUB: 03/19/2025 10:19 AM/DISC: 03/19/2025 10:18 AM
Yahoo
21-02-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Cool School Cool Principal: Dr. Tamela Brown
CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD) – A Lowcountry High School principal is changing lives giving students a different approach to education and a viable path to graduating. News 2 presents Learn4Life Charleston leader Dr. Tamela Brown with our Cool School Principal Award. For the last three years, Dr. Tamela Brown has served as principal at Learn4Life High School in North Charleston. Learn4Life is a charter high school for students who need a different option than the traditional public school setting. The school provides personalized learning, career training, and life her time at Learn4 Life, 52 students have graduated. Learn4Life staff and students say under Dr. Brown's leadership and guidance, the school has developed a nurturing environment that supports academic success as well as personal growth. Congratulations Dr. Tamela Brown! If you would like to nominate a Cool School, teacher, or principal, send an email to Octavia Mitchell at omitchell@ Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
19-02-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Cool School Principal: Dr. Tamela Brown
They call her an exceptional leader. Staff and students at Learn 4 Life in North Charleston say their principal, Dr. Tamela Brown's incredible leadership, dedication, and passion for education is contagious. She's our Cool School Principal of the week. They say under Brown's guidance, the unique school has developed a nurturing environment that supports academic success as well as personal growth. For the last three years, Dr. Tamela Brown has served as principal at Learn 4 Life High School in North Charleston. 'Learn for Life is a Charter High school. It is an opportunity to change their stories for students for whatever reason need something different than the traditional public schools. Students who had significant barriers, students that need more personalized learning, one-on-one instructional approach, and an opportunity to be seen and heard so they can be successful,' says Dr. Brown. Learn 4 Life is a part of the South Carolina Public Charter School District. The school has been in Charleston for four years, but the model has been around for more than twenty years in California. Brown says, 'We give our students a lot of voice and choice, and so they really direct their learning. They are self-paced. They determine when they are going to finish a class, what class they are going to take, and how they want to learn.' Learn 4 Life Charleston has 167 students in 9th -12th grade, ages 14- 21. Students have a flexible schedule. They attend class four hours a day from 8 a.m. to noon or 12:15 p.m. to 4:15 p.m. Monday through Thursday. They learn from home on Fridays with online support and can still participate in extra-curricular activities at their home schools. Dr. Brown says, 'Our students are graduating. They are coming – some of them out of a time where they have been away from education a few years, didn't return after Covid. Some of them are teen parents. They bring their children right to school and take them right to class with them. Our students, some of them have had challenges, and difficulties academically and instructionally, some of them just needed a smaller setting, and they are graduating. They have not given up, and that is what our success is about. When we're able to take someone who was discouraged and didn't know if they can make it and they make it.'Since her time at Learn 4 Life, 52 students have graduated. 'We have some students who participate in the CTE program, so they have certifications, and they are ready to go right to work. We have some students that are looking at a university, some of them have gone to Trident. We do a dual enrollment program with Trident here as well, some of our students are looking at the military,' says Brown. Dr. Brown has 14 teachers and support staff. She describes her leadership style. 'I'm truly a leader, not a manager. I'm a servant leader, so I want to make sure that the folks I work with are taken care of, that their humanity is honored. We do our job and work really really hard but honor the humanity of who they are. We're family-friendly here. We support our staff, and they have a lot of voice and autonomy.' Parent Sharon Rivera-Doublin works at the school as a teacher's aid and MLP coordinator. She says Dr. Brown has the ability to motivate and inspire those around her. 'I have not met a person like Dr. Brown. When it comes down to education, someone who has genuine intentions as far as the children goes to help them achieve their goals. She always goes above and beyond for the children and families. She is making a difference.' Senior Ariana Mulligan says, 'That's my lady man. I love her so much. She helped me out a lot on personal occasions and school occasions. The way she communicates with me. She has a special way of talking, understanding, and following through with what she said. She's like my second mom in that aspect. She's too cool. She's funny. She makes me laugh all the time all day long.' Senior Josue Mendez says, 'She's very cool. She always smiles to us and gives five to us. She makes me excited to be in school. Thank you, Ms. Brown, for helping us to be in this school.' From Michigan, Dr. Brown majored in bio-medical sciences at Western Michigan University but got her doctorate in educational leadership. During her childhood. She says her family struggled financially, but her teachers instilled in her the power to believe in herself, despite her circumstances. Dr. Brown says she wanted to pass that gift she was given along to students. 'They believed in me, and it didn't matter where I came from, and it didn't matter what my history was and what my family situation was. They taught me that I could make it, and I could be anything. Because education had an impact on me in that way, and those teachers were so pivotal in my life, it just makes me feel alive to support students in that way. Every child needs someone to believe in them that way until they can believe in themselves. It is definitely a calling.' If you would like to nominate a Cool School, teacher, or principal, send an email to Octavia Mitchell at omitchell@ Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
