Starke County’s newest school is set to open on Friday, Aug. 1. The Crossing has leased the old Sears retail location south of Knox on U.S. 35 for it’s alternative school. The mission statement on the Goshen-based nonprofit organization’s website says The Crossing believes in “empowering struggling students to become contributing members of their communities through academics, job training and faith-based mentoring.”
Earlier this year, The Crossing contracted with Knox, North Judson-San Pierre and Oregon-Davis Schools to serve students who have been expelled, dropped out of school or have otherwise fallen through the educational cracks. The schools identified youngsters who might be good fits for the program. So far eight have enrolled in the program, which offers a mix of classroom and vocational training. Mark Bailey is the local board president. He says students can enroll year-round in the school, but those who sign up by Sept. 12 will count toward their host corporation’s enrollment number for the sake of state funding. The Crossing will get a share of that money to defray tuition expenses. Bailey adds The Crossing will not turn any students away who enroll after that date and says scholarships are available. Open houses at the local site are scheduled Wednesday, July. 30 and Thursday, July. 31 from 8 a.m. until 3 p.m. Find more information online at http://crossingeducation.com/.
