Alternative Schools Students
Triumph at Graduation

SAN JOSE, CA— A couple of years ago, Kimberly Casteel was getting in and out of trouble a lot, and had no idea what she wanted to do with her life. The high school she had been attending would not take her back, and she ended up at The Foundry—an alternative school operated by the Santa Clara County Office of Education.

And there she blossomed. On June 10, she will participate in the COE's alternative schools graduation ceremony, with her eye on attaining a college degree in psychology.

She credits the staff at the school with helping her turn things around. "They are always there," she says. "They always make time for you."

Kimberly is one of 52 students expected to attend the ceremony at 6 p.m. at the Cathedral of Faith in San Jose. Last year, about 600 people were there to cheer the students graduating from the COE's Community Schools, Community Day Schools, Group Homes and Probation Ranches.

"It was awesome," says Anya Boynton, alternative schools counselor at the COE. "The kids were in caps and gowns, and so many people came. It was very emotional."

That is not surprising, considering the obstacles many of the students must overcome. "They come with so much baggage," Boynton says. "They have to take care of siblings at home, or they have drug problems, or they are so far behind they can't see themselves ever catching up."

Kimberly, 17, was in a place like that when she arrived at The Foundry in San Jose. "I didn't know what I was doing with my life," she says. "Then I came here."

Media are invited to attend the 6 p.m. event, at Cathedral of Faith's Horton Youth Center Auditorium, 2315 Canoas Garden Ave. Contact ASD Director Paula Mitchell on arrival. Read more about Kimberly Casteel's story at www.sccoe.org.

Read about one observer's thoughts.

Date last updated: May 20, 2009