http://denverpost.com/news/ci_2807009

School helps immigrants adjust

By Daarel Burnette II
Denver Post Staff Writer

When 19-year-old Mexican immigrant Eric Silva began classes as a senior at West High School in Denver, he sat in the back of the class, didn't participate and felt like a social outcast. He wanted to drop out and get his GED. His teachers thought he was too old to be in high school.

Then, a counselor at West told him about the New America School, a charter school designed for immigrants from ages 16 to 21.

On Thursday, Silva joined 15 other immigrants in the Capitol's Old Supreme Court Chambers, where they became the first class to graduate from the school.

"I don't regret coming here at all," Silva said. He had just slipped his tongue and lip jewelry back in after removing them for the ceremony. "It was a lifetime experience."

Silva plans to return to Mexico to start a punk band.

The New America School was founded by wealthy entrepreneur Jared Polis, a member of the State Board of Education. The school has two campuses, one at the Community College of Aurora and one at a shopping center in Thornton. It serves 260 students.

"In a public school, these students would be put in special ed or shuffled to the back of the class," said Paulette Schroeder, 51, Thornton campus principal. The morning and evening classes, conducted in English, use hands-on activities and English vocabulary lessons, said the school's executive director and vice president, Chris Romer.

Ruben Lavoignet, 20, student-body president and a junior at the school, wanted access to the American Dream.

Lavoignet, who moved to Denver eight months ago from Ensenada, Mexico, with his parents, was too old to attend public schools and needed to work two jobs to help provide for his family.

"New immigrants always want to succeed for their future generations," Lavoignet said. "This school provides that opportunity."

Staff writer Daarel Burnette II can be reached at 303-820-1201 or dburnette@denverpost.com.