Family and friends gathered at the Lamoille Family Center as seven young women graduated from the Learning Together program on June 10, 2009.

The Learning Together program, now in its eighth year, allows students who have dropped out, or are at risk of dropping out, of high school to pursue their education by earning their diploma through their sending high school or through the Lamoille Family Center (which is certified to issue high school diplomas) or by earning their General Education Diploma (GED) through Adult Basic Education.  This year four students graduated from Lamoille Union High School, two from People’s Academy and one from the Lamoille Family Center.

Many of the Learning Together students face issues of substance abuse, domestic violence, homelessness, isolation, challenging family dynamics, truancy, and low self-esteem.  The flexible environment, comprehensive services, and individual design of the Learning Together program allow the students to succeed.    The program operates three semesters a year with the students spending twenty two hours a week in classroom instruction, community service activities, employment readiness training, social emotional/life skill development, and case management and counseling services.  On site child care is available for students who are parenting.

It is truly an accomplishment for these young women to graduate.  As one student remarked at graduation, "I was not making it in high school.  I would not have graduated without the Learning Together program and now I am going off to college in the fall."