By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer
PINEVILLE – A high school for adults age 19 and older operated by a Louisiana Baptist church has received state approval to operate as a non-public school.
The move now allows students to take advantage of financial aid that was not available before this year and positions the school for a brighter future, school leaders say.
“It’s a ministry for us,” said Dan Davis, director of the year-round school. “There is a need and I believe if there is a need, there’s a ministry. There’s a need to give adults a chance at an alternative to the GED program. Plus, we’re giving them the gospel.”
Located at Trinity Baptist Church in Pineville, the year-round school allows students who lack anywhere from a few credits to a few years of high school to attend classes and take a test to earn their high school degree. The school charges a maximum tuition of $665 for the entirety a student is enrolled. A new student can enroll every eight weeks.
Two years after opening its doors, Trinity High School saw the first graduates in 2005. The school has been operating as a Christian accredited entity but in June received non-public school approval by the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education for this school year.
Students can take classes for up to four days each week. Classes include mathematics, history and Bible.
Michael Shamblin, a member of the board at Trinity High School and associate vice president for student life at Louisiana College, emphasized how education has turned the lives around of some of those who have completed coursework at the school.
“Often in both public and private educational settings we try to force square pegs into round holes and then we call those square pegs failures; they are not,” he said in an email to the Baptist Message. “Rather, the system has failed them through its lack of flexibility.”
“To be able to have a minor role in developing an alternative school setting to help those students catch up and continue to progress in their pursuit of additional education is very satisfying especially as a person who spent a good bit of his career pounding on square pegs,” he continued. “And, I write that with great bit of sadness. I believe that, second only to saving faith in Jesus, education is key to success and happiness in life. So, again helping others find a place where they can pursue further education is very satisfying.”
Davis said that seeing graduating students succeed is encouraging for the administration and the volunteer staff of faculty.
“There’s nothing better to see them succeed,” Davis said. “That’s what keeps us going. We get a call from or see a student and we realize this is worth it. We are helping too many people to let this fail.”