State News
Faith-based school aims to help troubled students
FORT WAYNE— An Allen County school district is turning to a private, faith-based school to help troubled students who have been incarcerated, expelled or dropped out of school.
Last year, more than 700 students from East Allen County Schools were either dropouts or had an unknown graduation status. Beginning this fall, some of them will be attending the state-accredited Crossing Educational Center.
The private school was approved by the EACS school board in April, and Rob Staley, executive director of the Crossing, has already begun recruiting students and is looking for a school facility in the New Haven area.
Staley said the school works hand-in-hand with public schools in the communities it serves.
“Our vision is transforming lives through education by focusing on the heart and mind,” he said. “We believe that if we can’t get to a kid’s heart then we can’t change their behavior.”
As long as the students are enrolled in the district, Staley said their state funding will follow them to the Crossing.
EACS board president Stephen Terry said he and others hopes the district’s Crossing school can produce the same results that’s been seen in other northern Indiana districts that also have Crossing schools.
In Elkhart alone, the Crossing has helped cut the district’s dropout rate by 45 percent.
“In a traditional classroom setting, it just didn’t work. Now, we have a nontraditional method where we do life first,” Terry said. “I believe we’re going to give more people in the community a second chance at life.”
The Crossing takes 25 students at a time — whether in separate sessions or separate classes — and teaches them academics, character development, leadership and career development.
For a half-hour each day, the students discuss life issues, such as the death of a parent or other things the students might be facing.
“We literally say we do life first and then school,” Staley said.
The Crossing program began with five students in Elkhart in 2003. By next year, it will have grown to 350 students at eight campuses in 11 Indiana school districts, Staley said.
Schools in East Allen and Frankfort will be the latest additions to the Crossing chain, but Staley hopes to expand to Fort Wayne, as well.
- State News
-
-
Murder trial still looms
Just because he walked free from the walls of prison Thursday does not mean that Walter Goudy is free from the same murder charges that led to his 15-year incarceration.
-
1994 shooting victim’s family upset about Goudy release
Dismay flooded Kendra Graves on Thursday, after reading that the man who had been convicted of murdering her brother 16 years ago had been released from prison.
-
Goudy freed from prison
“It’s a very joyous day,” Walter Goudy said Thursday outside the gates of the Wabash Valley Correctional Facility. “I don’t hold no hatred or animosity toward anyone.”
-
Inmate holds prison worker hostage
Indiana State Prison says an inmate facing murder charges held a prison employee hostage for 90 minutes before surrendering.
-
Restoration starts on once-endangered courthouse
An eastern Indiana county's 1870s courthouse that once seemed destined for demolition is seeing a major renovation start after years of public campaigns to save the building.
-
Anderson Costume to close after 33 years
The row of trophies declaring championships dating as far back as 1981 are visible from the outside of Anderson Costume, shining through the dusty shop window.
-
Hancock County Sheriff giving up duties after arrest
A central Indiana sheriff has given up his duties while he faces accusations of taking $4,000 in department money for his personal use, although he will keep the title and his full pay.
-
Letterman to stage talk with Twitter co-founder in Muncie
"Late Show" host David Letterman plans to return to his alma mater in September.
-
Daniels says colleges should focus on efficiencies
Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels says he doesn't want to see trustees of the state's public colleges and universities asking for more money at the Statehouse.
-
Indiana report shows number of bed sores declining
A new report shows Indiana hospitals and ambulatory surgery centers recorded 94 preventable medical errors in 2009, a drop from the 105 mistakes reported in 2008 and 2007.
- More State News Headlines
-
Murder trial still looms
