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TUCSON, Ariz. (13 News) – Arizona’s high school graduation rate sits at 80%, among the lowest in the country.
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State data shows one in five students does not graduate on time. For some who drop out, a Pima County GED program is offering a path back.
The Las Artes GED program, located in Tucson, reports a graduation rate of 98%. It also offers a trade skills program in construction.
The program has operated since 1992 and enrolls 60 students in classes of no more than 15.
Students cite struggles in traditional schools
Aliyah Garcia said she struggled with anxiety at Pueblo High.
“It felt heavy, like I didn’t belong — alone — in a sea of people, mind you… I feel like I didn’t really get the help I needed sometimes,” Garcia said.
Michael Espinoza said he faced a similar environment at Tucson High.
“There’s too many students, you know what I’m saying — the teachers couldn’t get one-on-one with each student, and for students coming from a rough environment or students with learning disabilities, that’s not really an ideal learning environment,” Espinoza said.
Both Garcia and Espinoza dropped out of high school before enrolling in the Las Artes program.
Program features small classes and weekly stipends
Las Artes Recruitment and Outreach Specialist Haydee Armenta-Rivera said the program’s personalized attention is a key factor in its success.
“Our classes are small, no more than 15 students per class, and I think that’s ideal for a lot of our students for how they learn,” Armenta-Rivera said.
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Students receive between $50 and $100 per week for attending classes. They also complete art projects intended to benefit the community, like Little Free Libraries.
Garcia said she nearly left the program before a one-on-one meeting with her mentor kept her enrolled.
“I was like I don’t think I can do that, I can’t continue, and they talked me through it. And I don’t think they would do that at a regular high school,” Garcia said.
She said earning a GED will expand her sense of opportunity.
“College becomes an option after you get your GED. It’s good to feel like it’s an option for you — like all the great things in the world are an option for you as well,” Garcia said.
Espinoza said completing the program is just a starting point.
“There’s a lot more to do; this is just the first step in the right direction. There’s a lot more to come,” Espinoza said.
Isabela Lisco is a Report for America corpsmember covering education solutions for 13 News. Her position is made possible through funding from Report for America and the Arizona Local News Foundation’s Arizona Community Collaborative Fund.
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