• E-mail
• Print
• Comment
• Font Size
• Digg
• del.icio.us
• Discuss article

On a Mission ; School Educates 'The Children That No One Else Wants'

Posted on: Friday, 28 October 2005, 12:00 CDT

By LEANN HOLT Journal Staff Writer

For 13-year-old Andrew Fisher, school days used to be sheer torture. The Santa Fe teen, who has bipolar disorder, said he was hated by teachers and ostracized by peers.

"I would have psychotic breakdowns because of the stress," Andrew said, tossing his hair out of his eyes. "I have this mental illness that some people refer to as craziness."

But after years of almost daily humiliation, Andrew got lucky. Last year, Santa Fe Public School officials recognized the young man's situation and sent him to The Mission School of New Mexico in Albuquerque. Now, Andrew can't wait to get to school, even though it means a two-hour bus ride every day.

"I've had no episodes since I've been here," he said between classes at Mission School on Wednesday. "I've been able to drop one of my antipsychotic stress medicines because this school has relieved so much stress."

Mission School serves 20 students who have learning disabilities or mental-health diagnoses. The school was started in 2003 by Karen Frank, a frustrated mother of four who could not find a school that met the needs of two of her children. One of Frank's children has been diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome -- a mild form of autism -- and bipolar disorder, and the other with dyslexia.

Frank, a pediatric nurse practitioner with a PhD in educational administration, created a year-round school that meets four days a week.

"I have all the children that no one else wants," Frank said. "But it shouldn't be that remarkable because these are great children and great families. How could they miss that?"

The mission, Frank said, is to help the children build a life on their strengths and minimize the weaknesses that are often the focus in traditional school settings.

Students are encouraged to be open about how they're feelings or tell someone if they need their medication adjusted. Children can go to private rooms or bounce on a trampoline if they're feeling overwhelmed.

"They help you calm down instead of putting you in detention where you can't calm down until it's too late," said Kyle

Dozier, a 15-year-old Mission

School student. "Things don't really go wrong much here."

Parents say the school is a "miracle" and a "lifeline."

Deborah Farrar said her son, Seth, had been in five schools before he came to Mission School last year. The 13-yearold, who has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder Asperger Syndrome, was hospitalized about three years ago.

"This school absolutely rescued Seth and rescued our family," Farrar said through her tears. "Seth has friends, and he feels appreciated and loved."

Operating on tuition income of $10,000 per child and a $60,000 United Way grant, Frank said she and her husband have invested about half a million dollars in the school. The school has launched a campaign to raise scholarship money so more children can go to Mission School.

"All the money we raise will go to scholarships," Frank said. Mission School facts

Four full-time teachers and one part-time teacher work with 20 students who range from kindergarten to 12th grade. The school, founded in 2003, can accommodate up to 220 students.

The school has an indoor gym, science lab, computer lab and music room. Faculty and parents cook lunch for students in the school's kitchen.

Mission School is accredited through the National Association for the Legal Support of Alternative Schools. Founder Karen Frank anticipates that the school will have its first graduate within two years. For students who are not able to meet standard graduation requirements, the school will issue certificates of graduation.

The school uses a variety of curricula, based on each student's needs, interests and learning styles. Students participate in planning their school work.

Some public school districts have paid for students to attend Mission School when the districts cannot meet the student's educational needs.

Source: Albuquerque Journal

More News in this Category