New Program Designed To Get Students Back Into Class

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- Stemming the tide on the soaring dropout rate in Baltimore City schools may begin with a new program designed to get students back into class.

Gigi Barnett explains the Reengagement Center offers much more than reading, writing and arithmetic.

"My mother passed away when I was eight. I'm still in middle school because of family drama," said 15-year-old Donay Sims.

With tears streaming down her face, Sims told a packed room full of city school leaders why she stopped going to school a couple of years ago.

But now, Donay is starting over--in middle school--and she's back on track to graduate.

"I didn't have hope that I could finish school at all. Now I have so much hope, it's like I just can do anything," Sims said.

Donay found the help she needed at the school district's Reengagement Center.

It's housed in city schools' headquarters building on North Avenue, and it offers a way for students who've dropped out to get back in class.

"We try to figure out what some of the challenges were and then we actually have a prescribed direction for them to move forward. Some youngsters make the transition right back to school and then sometimes we have to provide some additional supports," said Gregory Thornton, Baltimore City Public Schools CEO.

While the Reengagement Center has everything a student would need to get back on track, this is not a long-term solution. Students can stay there for as few as 30 days or as much as three months, but teachers say what most of them really need are the services found outside the classroom.

"Very seldom do youngsters just drop out because of academics. They drop out because of challenge in life," said Thornton.

For Donay, that was losing her mom at an early age.

Yes, she's a few years behind in school, but her dream of becoming a doctor is closer than it's ever been.

"Now that I know that school is important, I will never really let nobody pull me from my education. I'm going to keep pushing forward," Sims said.

The Reengagement Center offers help for parents who need social services as well.