More than 130 students in Dorchester District 2 are participating in the district’s new Evening High School Program.
On Friday, Oct. 24, Barbara Stroble, DD2 Deputy Superintendent, presented the details of the program to other school board members, principals, staff and business partners at the DD2 Partners in Education Network Breakfast.
“Everyone might not be able to attend school during the day because of the challenges that are thrown at them by life,” said Stroble. “(Although it may be) extremely difficult to attend school during the day, you still need an education in order to have any kind of viable life as an adult.”
Three days a week, for four hours each day, more than 85 students go to Fort Dorchester High School to take classes at night and more than 40 go to Summerville High School. Classes are held from 5 p.m. until 9 p.m.
The purpose of the program is to provide young adults, aged 16-20, with an opportunity to complete high school and be awarded a South Carolina State High School Diploma.
“We decided to have the program to help the needs of students who are at risk,” said Stroble. “Many have no structure at home to help them get to or from school.”
The program, which began in late August, is computer-based; however, subject-area teachers are on hand to provide the students with support and there is some individualized subject-area instruction as well as small group instruction. Courses offered include topics in English, math, science and social studies.
Some students attending the evening classes are doing so to earn credit for classes that they previously attended during the regular school day, but for which they failed to make a passing grade.
“As we go through time, we know that we’re going to have to look at our delivery of education differently,” said Stroble. “This is just one of the opportunities we are looking at to help children have hope for a brighter tomorrow.”

Contact Michael Tannebaum at 873-9424 ext. 215 or mtannebaum@journalscene.com