Cincinnati's Amazing Grassroots School

Cincinnati's Amazing Grassroots School Lower Price Hill and the surrounding neighborhoods in Cincinnati are primary Appalachian settlement areas. Since 1940, most of the neighborhood people and theirfamilies have come to Cincinnati from Eastern Kentucky and West Virginia. In 1972 agroup of'neighborhoodpeople met with MichaelMaloney,founding director ofCincinnati's Urban Appalachian Council, to establish afree, adultschool. Thefounderssought tofind a way to educate their children and family members for the better life they were seeking in Cincinnati. From first-hand experience they knew the vital importance ofeducation. The specific reasonfor establishing the school was the neighborhood's high school dropout rate—higher than anywhere in Eastern Kentucky or West Virginia . As many as eight out often Lower Price Hill children did notfinish high school. The schoolplan envisioned by the communitypeople calledfor a personalized , one-room school much like schools that existed in parts ofthe mountains prior to 1970. Since 1978, when Ijoined the effort, over 400 students have become GED graduates. Some of these make the next step and move on to college at an on-siteprogram with Chatfield College ofBrown County, Ohio; othersfind suitable employment. Keeping the schoolgoing, true to its mission as a quality,free adult learning center in an impoverished inner-city neighborhood, is an ongoing and difficult task. Every year 250 students join the work. Many of them have caught thefounders' vision ofa better life in Cincinnati. —Jake Kroger, Director Established a quarter of a century ago, just for Appalachians, the Lower Price Hill Community School continues to transform the lives of local people. Herewith, some striking testimonials from successful and typical graduates. Carol Hughes As I faced a major decision in my life, I knew tliere would have to be other changes made as well. I had just turned thirty-eight and was ending an eighteen-year marriage. Ending the marriage did not produce grief; however , I viewed the thought of supporting myself with fear and anxiety. Throughout my life I had been surrounded by family members, although it was not until I was introduced to the Lower Price Hill Community School (LPHCS) that I began to feel I could be productive. 29 In 1972 I was preparing for the birth ofmy son, while my high school counselor was advising me on how it would be best for all concerned if I no longer held on to the idea ofattaining my diploma in the spring ofthat year. Heeding the advice of an adult—someone I regarded with the utmost respect—I withdrew from high school and devoted myselfto raising my son. Looking back over my life, I realized not long afterward that I had made a terrible mistake by allowing myself to be persuaded to leave school. Throughout a major portion of my life I had developed a nurturing friendship with a person that I refer to as my lifeline. It was through this friend that I was introduced to LPHCS. She had just graduated from Chatfield College and as luck, dedication, and hard work would have it, she was starting a new job at LPHCS. Even though we have the same philosophy of life, it took her eloquent description of students and the school's atmosphere to encourage me to return to the educational process. In 1993 I decided it was time to face the changes that had occurred in my life. I was approaching my thirty-ninth birthday and knew that I would need more schooling ifI had any expectations ofemployment. I will never forget my first days at LPHCS. I had allowed myselfto become fearful and anxious about just getting through the school doors. As a result, I found myself attending school with a mixture of all age groups and some of the most heart-warming people I had ever met. I could not believe how comfortable I was made to feel; the atmosphere at the school is one that I was familiar with only in my own home. In the past I had never gained the confidence in myself that it takes to return to or continue an education. However, the entire school, students and staff alike, welcomed me with open arms. After many days ofhard work, I received my GED...