The walls are a shade of a light blue-gray. The paint looks fresh even though the walls haven’t been painted in more than 11 years. A sign in the elevator reads “Only positive attitude beyond this point,” and the signs in the hallways read “Violence Free Zone” and are accompanied by framed Monet posters. The classrooms are small and hold no desks, but instead boast one two or large tables with several chairs. Welcome to Kenmare High School, where all the students are female high school dropouts who found their second, and for some their only, chance.
“They take great pride in their school, and we want it to be their place of beauty and peace,” said Kenmare High School Director Sister Helen Neder. “We want them to look at the school like an oasis.”
There are no freshmen, sophomores, juniors or seniors at Kenmare. All of its students are women aged 17 to 29 who are working hard to build up enough credits to graduate.
“We continue where they left off in High School,” said Neder.
Most of the women enrolled at Kenmare dropped out of high school because they were pregnant or had troubles at home. But Neder said that there are some applicants who just keep dropping out of schools. Kenmare has a policy to stop such a trend within its own walls.
“One of our requirements is that the women must be out of school for at least a year,” said Neder. “We want them to realize the only way to get out of poverty is through education. They need at least a year to understand that.”
Neder did say that exceptions can and have been made, and all potential students are viewed on a case-by-case basis.
Before the women graduate, they must complete an internship at a nearby office and local businesses. The program is called “Connect into the Community,” and businesses in the neighboring community employ Kenmare women for two weeks to offer job experience in their top career choices. Some past internships included work in the fields of court stenography, nursing and journalism. A student last year was even able to publish an article in a local paper with her byline.
“By the time they graduate, they’ve researched a career and they are skilled to use computers,” said Neder. “We’re Internet affiliated, and they learn how to use it and do research on it.”
Applications open
Kenmare is an alternative high school that offers young women who have dropped out of the school system a chance to receive a high school diploma. Approximately 65 percent of the 85 students enrolled annually are single parents who receive some form of public assistance. Kenmare’s curriculum is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools and offers personalized attention, an array of core and elective courses, as well as career guidance, counseling and parenting classes. And the school has two full-time social workers who always keep their doors open to the students.
The largest classes consist of 12 students, and some classes have as few as five pupils. Classes are in session from 9 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. Monday through Thursday. On Friday, Kenmare lets out at 2 p.m. to allow students time to schedule important appointments.
“These women need to be able to schedule appointments during the day to bring their children to the doctor and need or to go to the Welfare office, so we encourage them to do that on Friday so they don’t miss their classes,” said Neder.
The school is a non-profit organization that operates under the aid of grants, donations, an annual fundraiser and the nominal tuition collected from students. Although the school is run by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace, the school is non-denominational, and it does not teach religion.
Kenmare has no waiting list. In fact, Kenmare is now accepting applications for the next trimester. A basics skills test is required and will be administered on Nov. 16. For more information, visit their website at www.yorkstreetproject.com or by calling the school at 451-1177.
Testimonials
Keen Ann Edwards, 18, of Jersey City, said that Kenmare put her on the right track.
“They gave me a chance,” said Keen Ann Edwards. “They’re very strict, but you need it. I got pregnant, and I dropped out and my mom nagged me to go back to school. My mom now watches my girl, and she’s happy because I’m in school.”
Edwards plans to attend college next year after she graduates in June to become a nurse, and she said she had no doubt that she will become a nurse.
What inspired Kelly Wright of Jersey City to apply to Kenmare was her two daughters, who are now 5 and 9 years old.
“I wanted to make a better life for my children,” said Wright, 29. “I wanted to set an example. Before, I couldn’t tell them to go to school when I didn’t finish.”
Kelly Wright left high school in the ninth grade because her boyfriend left school.
“I didn’t want to go to school,” said Wright. “I wanted to be with my boyfriend. Before I came to Kenmare two years ago, I wasn’t working and I was on Welfare. Now I’m getting an education and I have a job lined up for me when I graduate in June.”
Wright said the best part about Kenmare is the individual attention she receives in their smaller classrooms. “They take the time to work with you, and they don’t let you be out too much,” said Wright. “I knew how to use computers, but not as much as I know now.”
Brandy Williams, of Jersey City, left Lincoln High School two years ago when she was 17. Her infant daughter was suffering from pneumonia in the hospital, and her large number of absences got her expelled. Williams was an exceptional case, so they allowed her to transfer to Kenmare almost immediately after she was expelled. Williams will be graduating in June.
“When I was at Lincoln, I was going to school, working 35 hours at a grocery store and taking care of my daughter,” said Williams. “Her father wasn’t around, and I had problems with my family. No one helped me, and when she got sick, that was it. Now, because of Kenmare, I can go to college. I’m going to Hudson County Community College next year, and I want to be a social worker at a youth correctional facility.” The testimonials are what Neder said makes her job so inspiring.
“I love seeing the women who come and turn their lives around and dream dreams and go after them,” said Neder with tears in her eyes. “Kenmare is the best kept secret in Jersey City.”