Boys Town Nebraska

Colleen Friesen works with a youth during classroom time.

Boys Town’s One Room Schoolhouse

I In an age where one room schoolhouse numbers have dwindled across America, Boys Town Shelter of Grand Island is embracing the concept.

“This all started from a desire to make sure the kids have the best opportunity regarding their educational needs,” said Dave Reed, Program Director. That’s why the shelter started an alternative school and hired Colleen Friesen as a teacher for the students staying at the shelter.

“Most kids only stay here two weeks,” said Reed. “That’s not a long time to work with them.”

Reed said there is no requirement for shelters to provide schooling; they’re only required to provide educational opportunities. He contacted an educational outreach coordinator and asked for help. Friesen worked at the shelter as a tutor for about a year. They then made plans to start their own educational program.

Friesen, a graduate of the University of Nebraska at Omaha, was hired for the summer to begin developing the curriculum. She continued teaching this fall.

“It’s our own one-room schoolhouse,” she said. “Each child has their own assignment book they work from. The majority are very willing to work and learn. Most of the time, they just need encouragement and someone to answer questions.”

“When a child comes here from certain school districts, the schools are usually willing to work with us and send the child’s assignments,” said Reed. The assignments are then completed and faxed back to the original school, keeping the child progressing in the coursework.

Reed said one of the challenges they face is that the youths don’t always go back to the school they came from. “If the child isn’t going back to the same school district, they need to have their own curriculum so they can continue to put credit toward their education and have the work transfer to their next school,” he said.

It’s not unusual to have each youth in the shelter in a different grade’s work. Education assessments are done before curriculum is assigned.

“We’ve found that the school has led to fewer behavioral problems because it keeps them busy,” said Reed. “It’s saved some kids semesters because they come to us behind and have the chance to catch up.” Youths at the shelter are required to attend classes for four hours each morning, with scheduled time in the afternoons and evenings for homework and peer-to-peer tutoring.

“This is one of the best things we’ve done as far as programming goes,” said Reed. “Colleen has done an excellent job with the program and the youths.”