By: Daniel Householder
By 7:45 a.m. all the high school students in the Plainwell Community Schools district are in their desks ready to start the day. Well, not really. Renaissance High School students would disagree.
Renaissance is the alternative high school in the district.
The students are required to be in their building on Acorn Street from 9 a.m. to 2:15 p.m. The time before and after those hours is for students to get extra help from the two teachers and one paraprofessional, or spend extra time working on assignments.
“Five hours and 15 minutes may seem like a much easier day but our students don’t have any passing time and are looking at a computer screen nearly all day. Trust me when I say, it’s not easier just different,” said Plainwell Renaissance Principal, Tammy Glupker.
In fact, Renaissance is different from PHS in many many ways. It is technically a high school and is governed by the same board of education and its students are just kids trying to get their high school education.
One of the main differences is size. It is in a small building with two classrooms so only about 75 students can be enrolled at one time (although currently there are 66).
“Another thing that is WAY different is that we don’t have any sports, clubs, dances, or pep assemblies, Glupker said. “On the other hand, we do have close supportive staff, an informal businesslike atmosphere and the ability to work at your own pace.”
“It’s awesome and the people are cool. The teachers really care about you and you go at your own pace,” said Renaissance student Aaron Snyder. Snyder does admit that he misses the nachos at the main campus; however, Snyder likes the alternative school better.
“I chose to come here after going to PHS for a trimester, and since then it’s been treating me well,” said Snyder.
Although he can’t get nachos, students do have the option of purchasing a boxed lunch from the main campus cafeteria, or leaving campus to get food–although they still only have the same 25-minute lunch that the regular high school has and most students remain at the building.
“It’s our lunch time too, so we all eat together in the largest classroom. It’s kind of like lunch at a business office,” says Glupker.
Although most students at Plainwell High School would envy the option of open campus that they aren’t given, they also have other thoughts about Renaissance.
“Others probably look down on it, but I don’t. I think it’s good that they can go at their own pace and even graduate earlier,” said Caleb Beachler ‘15.
Although they have thoughts about Renaissance, some of their thoughts may be incorrect.
“When they graduate, they probably get a Renaissance High School diploma,” said Megan Friel ‘15. This is a common misconception about the Renaissance High School.
“There’s a common misconception that this is a GED school. That is false. Our students have to take the same classes that all Michigan high schools required to earn their high school diploma. When they graduate each May, our students receive a regular high school diploma that reads Plainwell Community Schools,” said Glupker.
The way they get to that diploma is unique because of the environment at the school.
“The Alternative is really relaxed, but the teachers care. I didn’t really like regular high school, but I like Alternative better because no one is really judgmental,” said Macoy Mitchell.
“I won’t say that one way or the other is better,” said Glupker. “What I believe wholeheartedly (and my students are proof positive) is that not every person is the same and we shouldn’t have to pretend like we are,” said Glupker.
