THOMASVILLE — Two bright-eyed, energetic, articulate students are not only excited about their new school, but what the institution has meant to their personal and academic development.
Aliya Larkins, a 12th grader at Bishop Hall Charter School, has done a complete about-face. “When I came here, I was the shy girl. ... I just blossomed,” explained Larkins, 18, who is anything buy shy today.
Bishop Hall 11th grader Haylie Brown, 17, recently received a $20,000 scholarship from H&R Block. The scholarship requires that Brown attend at a four-year university. She plans to attend Emory University and pursue a law degree.
“Everybody accepts everybody else,” Brown said, describing the Bishop Hall atmosphere. Students work at their own pace, with a closeness between pupils and teachers.
Business teacher Brandi Miranda, in her first year of teaching, feels challenged to make learning come alive for Bishop Hall students. She wants to make learning interesting and fun.
Teachers reported to the new Bishop Hall facility Monday. Tuesday was students’ first day at the new school, which houses grades eight through 12.
Dr. Dusty Kornegay, Thomas County School System superintendent, said most state policies are waived at Georgia charter schools, resulting in more freedom in learning and how teaching is focused. “Students are able to work at their own pace,” Kornegay explained.
If a Bishop Hall student masters ninth-grade English in March, the pupil proceeds to 10th-grade English. Many Bishop Hall students are behind academically when they arrive at the school. If they have and demonstrate knowledge, students can “test out” in previous courses and move forward academically.
Dr. Verna Wiggins, 16-year Bishop Hall dean of students, said change is the key word at the school. “Over the years, I’ve seen so many changes in students,” Wiggins explained. “The parents are so excited and happy about the experience.”
“Students look forward to coming to school,” Wiggins added. A social worker, clinical counselor and part-time nurse at the school are made possible through private foundations that contribute several hundred thousand dollars annually to Bishop Hall.
In his first year as principal, Chris Huckans said Bishop Hall students who might not be successful and not treated well by other pupils elsewhere excel and are accepted at the school. Said Kornegay, “Bishop Hall is not an alternative school. It is not for students with severe or chronic disciplinary problems.” Some children cannot deal with crowded school hallways or a large comprehensive high school and are in need of individual instruction.
A Bishop Hall student might have an unstable home environment. Bishop Hall staff and others attempt to remove as many obstacles as possible so the youngster can concentrate on school and completing an education.
Students are connected with outside services to help them deal with overwhelming circumstances. “When you’re struggling to survive, education is not always a priority for a teen,” the superintendent explained. Ironically, while Bishop Hall staff and others address academic and personal situations that might hinder an individual’s pursual of an education, every effort is made to make the student realize an education is the way out of the predicament.
Senior reporter Patti Dozier can be reached at (229) 226-2400, ext. 1820.