Alternative School Students Embracing College Classes Offered by RichmondCC

High school seniors at Ashley Chapel Educational Center in Rockingham got their first taste of college this semester thanks to a new partnership between Richmond Community College and Richmond County Schools.

Seventeen seniors were enrolled in RichmondCC classes offered for the first time this fall semester to students at the alternative school, which serves about 100 students in grades seven through 12. All 17 students showed drastic improvements in attendance, cutting their missed days by 50 percent.

“Their whole attitude about school has changed,” Ashley Chapel Principal Susan Brigman said. “Students who historically have not been motivated about school are now taking an interest in their classes. They’re seeing the relevance of what they’re learning and how it can impact their future after high school.”

Dr. Cindy Goodman, superintendent for Richmond County Schools, proposed the idea of bringing college classes to the alternative school, as the College does for juniors and seniors enrolled in the private and public schools. Dr. Dale McInnis, president of RichmondCC, agreed to the extension of the Career and College Promise dual enrollment program for high school students.

"Our goal was to provide opportunities for our students at Ashley Chapel Educational Center that would either prepare them for college or for a career,” Goodman said. “Dr. McInnis has been unbelievably supportive of our idea. The classes provide high engagement and high interest for our kids and have actually helped improve their attendance."

By the start of school in August, RichmondCC had in place two instructors to teach welding and office administration classes for juniors and seniors at the alternative school. Nine students signed up for welding; eight took the office administration class to learn keyboarding and office communication and support skills.

 “Every student deserves the chance to succeed, and I am gratified to see kids at Ashley Chapel taking advantage of this opportunity,” McInnis said. “I am really proud of our instructors, Chris Cesaro and Kim Parsons, for their efforts to make this initiative work.”

At Ashley Chapel, a RichmondCC classroom was created just for students taking the college classes.

“We gave them ownership of that classroom and entrusted them with the equipment, which includes computers and four expensive virtual welding machines,” Brigman said. “We let them know that we were setting high expectations for them now that they were taking college level classes.”

RichmondCC welding instructor Chris Cesaro drives out to the alternative school four days a week to teach his students about welding symbols and specifications — “book stuff,” but they get to apply this knowledge through the virtual welding machines that simulate using a welding torch and making cuts to metal.

“I enjoy it,” said student Jeremy Rainwater, who plans to continue taking welding at RichmondCC after high school.

That sentiment is shared by his classmates, who recognize that a welding certificate can put them in a good paying job.

Cesaro takes his students to main campus every Friday so they can experience the real thing in the welding lab. None of them ever misses the Friday class, he said.

RichmondCC office administration instructor Kim Parsons treated her students to a pizza party the day before exams to celebrate the hard work and good behavior they’ve shown all semester.

“They’re all good kids who have the ability to be successful,” said Parsons.

Her students recognize her passion for teaching.

“I really enjoy this class because you can tell Ms. Parsons really cares,” said senior Dejenara Kornegay, who prefers to be called DJ.

Brigman, who has been principal of the alternative school for three years and has always worked with at-risk youth, said, “That’s all these students want: someone to know them and believe in them.”

Brigman has seen the change in the students taking the RichmondCC classes.

“They carry themselves differently; they’re going to class; they’re bragging about taking college classes and it’s sparking an interest in other students,” she said.

Brigman is grateful for this partnership between the College and the school system because it is equipping the students for life after high school.