Taking the Alternate Route

Mujeres' classes cover all major subjects. The faculty-student ratio is comparatively low, and teachers design rigorous instruction to help students bolster weak academic skills and pass standardized proficiency exams. "Nothing is watered down here," says Corella. Only students who get Cs or better, complete their after-school counseling programs and maintain good behavior and attendance records are allowed to apply for readmission to their school districts.

Students with juvenile-criminal records are assigned to one of two probation officers who work at the school. School-district caseworkers also monitor their progress. Everyone maintains an open-door policy; teachers and students address one another by first name. The debate raging elsewhere over the proper fate of alternative-ed students was settled here long ago. "It's on a case-by-case basis, the way it should be," says Corella. Countywide, about 10% of the students elect to stay in the alternative setting until graduation. Corella reports that 40% of Mujeres grads attend junior college, and a few have even gone on to four-year universities.

One student, who was cleared to return to his old school, has opted to stay at Mujeres because he doesn't want to risk relapsing: "I'm happy here. My parents feel great about me, and I have more confidence in myself." For those who want to go back, Corella says their wishes are considered, but the final decision rests with the school's administrators, the student's mental-health counselor, school-district officials and the probation officer. A 13-year-old boy who was expelled under zero-tolerance rules last June — he accidentally cut his best friend while playing with a pen knife at school — will return to his school district next fall because, Corella says, "he's a strong A student with no behavior problems, and his offense was minor." When a student has serious anger problems, however, "it's a big red flag," she says. "That kid's probably better off with us because zero tolerance will eat him alive."

The system also serves as a safety net if students stumble when they return to regular school, as Eduardo did. "It wasn't a good place for me," says the aspiring hip-hop artist of his old school. "When I was there, I only wanted to get high. Now, because of alternative school, I want to get somewhere."