GLEN BURNIE — North County High School in Glen Burnie is changing the perception of night school with rigorous after school classes that allow students to catch up and get ahead.
North County High’s evening school program works with about 70 students, most of whom are taking classes to graduate on time.
“Evening high school was a chance to…get a second chance and actually get the credits so I can actually pass and go to college,” said Kimo Stukes, a sophomore at North County High School.
North County principal Bill Heiser said a growing number of students are taking evening classes to graduate early.
The evening high program offers the same curriculum as day school. But it features smaller class sizes and allows students to do assignments in class instead of just taking notes.
Students in the program said they responded to the smaller class sizes and one-on-one time with the teacher.
“Sometimes in day school I would get bored and fall asleep, but here I’m constantly doing work and I don’t get bored,” Kimo said.
Heiser said the program is designed to help more students get a degree. He said he recognized that the idea of a traditional school day may not work for students, especially those that have to work to support themselves or a child.
While the program is in its first year, Scott McGuire, lead administrator for the evening program, said they are already seeing success with higher grades.
The future of the program is unclear, but Heiser and his colleagues hope to grow the course offerings to include advanced placement and SAT prep courses.