Elementary Division

Community of Peace Academy
Kimberly Xiong
Age 10

"What's so special about me?" "I would say. All I do is guess and never think. I never pay attention." I thought I stopped believing in myself and stop succeeding in school. I even wonder why I was born to be so dumb. But then I went to CPA. I realize that I didn't stop believing in myself and stop succeeding in school. I hated myself for no reason. I would realize I hadn't learn it yet. CPA changed me alot. It change the way I act and many ways I would feel ashame of myself. CPA helped me to build peace and many more. When I was in other schools I never learned how to praise people or other things. After I cam to CPA I had more confidents in me. I try my best to succeed and be strong in everything I do. CPA has supporting grownups that will help you. If you were a kid like me just be yourself and try everything I did. Go to CPA. Don't worry, It will change your life.

Middle School Division

The Best of St. Croix Preparatory Academy
Drew Elizabeth Maakestad
Age 12

How would it feel to get up in the morning with a pit in your stomach because you don't want to go to school? Well, I sure don't know how that feels, because when I wake up in the morning, I can't wait to go to school! I usually ride the bus in the morning and talk with my friend Ollie. When I get off the bus I am happily greeted by the executive director, Mr. Gutierrez, and my middle school principal Mr. Kees. I usually get either a high five, a nice big hug, or a meaningful personal question about my life. There aren't many directors I know who stand outside until every student has been greeted as they walk into school. After a warm welcome from Mr. Gutierrez, and Mr. Kees I can look forward to seeing my friends when I walk through St. Croix Preparatory Academy's doors and around the corner to my cubbie.

This is my first year at St. Croix Prep, and for a new student it is usually hard to make friends easily. When I came to this school everyone welcomed me into the community and I felt as if I had known them forever.

I would encourage my friends to go to Saint Croix Prep because the teachers give each student individual attention so that they can learn to their greatest ability. The teachers make everyone feel smart and capable of achieving anything one wishes. I feel comfortable around the teachers, and know they are open to new ideas. They are there for students to come to with open arms and a kind word.

Another thing that makes St. Croix Prep the great place that it is, is I feel there aren't any problems with clicks or mean children. All the students are nice to one another and are interested in learning and becoming as bright as they can be. One thing that stands out to me as a student at Saint Croix Prep is that it doesn't matter if you aren't the smartest kid in your grade, the teachers make you feel bright and capable no matter what!

I wouldn't wish to be at any other school than St.Croix Prep. It's the place for me and every day I learn something new. Being a new student can be hard, not at St. Croix Prep, the teachers and classmates make it easy and enjoyable.

I will never have to be a student who can't wait until school is over and is counting the hours, minutes, and seconds until it is time to go. When I leave school every day, I can look forward to coming back to a great learning environment, the next day.

High School Division

New Century Charter School
Kayla Bailey
Age 16

If I were to encourage a friend to attend my school, I would do so because my school is comfortable, personal, and up-to-date.

In my school, you can be friends with people that you wouldn’t normally associate with in the regular public school.  The people here all know each other, even if they’re not close friends.  To have this at a district high school is close to impossible; Even if they did know each other, not everyone would be treated with the amount of respect that other kids are shown at New Century.  At NCCS, there’s no worry about not fitting in with certain people.  There is always a place where you feel safe and comfortable.

The teachers that I currently have are probably the best that I’ve had yet.  You never have to worry about asking questions about a class or even wanting to get an update on your trans-script.  Students don’t need to wait until the end of the trimester, or even mid-terms to find out how well they are doing overall.

Teachers talk with you about how you can excel, and what classes will bring you to your goal.  I’m speaking in terms of in-school, or even out of school.  One of our social studies teachers goes exercising with a couple of her students to help keep themselves in shape.  However, she wasn’t the one who established the event, the student was.  The student felt so at-ease with the teacher and had a feeling of personal well-being that she wanted to be with her teacher outside of the regular class room.  In any other school, I haven’t heard of something like this.  I try explaining this to my friends who attend District #423, but they just can’t grasp why any student would actually be willing to spend free time with a staff member of their school.  It’s truly so unique and fun here that it inspires students to do better in and out of school.  I believe it’s because of all the personal attention that each student gets that really helps them to thrive.

At New Century Charter School, every student has access to a computer.  Since many of our projects, and even homework, are done on the computers, this is exceedingly important.  There are two desktops to use in each room, and several laptops available.  Once finished with a project, there are multiple ways which you can present it.  One way, if it is a power point or anything shown on the screen of the computer, we have up-to –date projectors to show the picture on the electronic drop-down projector screen.  All of our lights and doors are electronic, and each teacher gets their own desktops to use.

There are several reasons as to why New Century Charter School is a school you would want to attend, but seeing as how there are limitations to my writing, these are the main ones that I want to be let known.