Nov/Dec 2023
News, updates and perspectives on the
future of education from Learn4Life
How Can High Schools Better Serve Teens Experiencing Homelessness?
This week, 16-year-old Joey will sleep in a soft bed, take a warm shower and have a place to keep his belongings. He’ll then make his way to our San Diego school where he is catching up on credits and hopes to graduate soon. For most of the past year, he has experienced homelessness – couch surfing when he could, and on the streets when he couldn’t. And Joey isn’t alone.

In the last school year, the number of California teens aged 12-17 experiencing homelessness increased nine percent or by about 16,000, totaling 187,000 kids. In some regions, it’s even higher, like Fresno County that has seen an increase of 30 percent. Keeping these students in school is challenging and made worse because students without secure, consistent housing are twice as likely to be suspended.

“If a student doesn’t know where they are going to sleep at night or get a meal, they’re certainly not going to be ready to tackle algebra,” said Shellie Hanes, superintendent. 
Keeping Students with Disabilities Learning Alongside Their Classmates
Imagine a high school where the entire student body isn’t aware that 20 percent of the students are enrolled in special education or SPED classes. It’s the dream of all parents of those with special needs to not be isolated from other students…and the desire of every parent that varying levels of educational needs not detract from any student.

At Learn4Life, that inclusivity has been the status quo for more than 22 years. This network of 80+ public high schools offers personalized instruction, so in effect, all students receive the same benefit as an individualized education plan (IEP), a requirement to serve students with disabilities in schools. 
From Experiencing Homelessness to a Solid Future
What do you do with a high school student who has ideas and dreams that don’t fit within four walls of a traditional classroom? Let them learn at their own pace, allow them to work on more than just assignments and emphasize building a future. Jahleena flourished with this model which helped her overcome barriers, gain real life experience, graduate high school and focus on things that make her happy.

Jahleena went from experiencing homeless at 15, to couch surfing, to having her own apartment -- all while earning her diploma. To do this, she needed room for a full-time job and an education that matched her tenacity. After enrolling at Mission Academy, she learned that she can be independent while working towards a diploma on her schedule.