'GRADS' encourages teen parents to stay in school

GRADS (Graduation, Reality and Dual-Role Skills, is a high school class for teen parents, both young men and young women.   The purpose of this for-credit class is definitely not to encourage teen pregnancy. The purpose of GRADS is to support young teens who have already become pregnant or are already parents. GRADS is about encouraging young parenting teens to learn about their pregnancy, parenting, relationships, child development and economic independence. 

We want to help them, assist them and encourage them to work through difficulties that arise with daycare, family, finances, and school personnel so they will STAY IN SCHOOL to GRADUATE.  GRADS is all about beating the odds and completing school in spite of what friends, relatives and society may say. Also special emphasis is placed on post secondary education to find and keep a fulfilling career while earning a living and making a good example for their children to follow. We stress reading to children early and often so they will also love to learn and be successful in school. 

New Ohio Standards for GRADS which will be implemented for 2010-11 include:  I. Relationships II. College and Career readiness III. Economic Independence V. Healthy Prenatal and Neonatal Care V. Nurturing Healthy Children and Establishing Healthy Families.

GRADS was begun in the early 1990’s by a federal grant from the National Diffusion Network. Many states have adopted GRADS and have programs available in their schools. Our state GRADS reports show statistics that those students who are enrolled in GRADS stay in school longer and are more likely to graduate than those without the support of GRADS. At one time, GRADS classes were offered in most Cleveland High Schools. At this time, Collinwood is the only Cleveland Metropolitan School District to still offer GRADS, though many suburban school districts still offer GRADS.  

Anyone interested in serving on the Advisory Committee or in encouraging the students in GRADS, or who wishes to offer other types of support, educational or job contacts, is encouraged to contact Mrs. Mengel at CHS. If you are a teen parent, pregnant teen, or family member of a teen parent and desire more information or to enroll for next year, please contact Judy Mengel, 216.851.3355 at Collinwood or by e-mail at Judy.K.Mengel@CMSDnet.net. 

If you are a former GRADS student, Mrs. Mengel would also love to hear from you. 

School mailing address is: Collinwood High GRADS, Judy Mengel, 15210 St Clair Avenue, Cleveland, 44110 Summer address is: 367 TR 1275, POLK, Ohio 44866

Judy Mengel is the GRADS Teacher at Collinwood High School