Many of them had a rough year, skipping school and falling behind their peers in classes.
In Camden, its credit recovery program offers a second chance for students to make up work in four core classes and get back on track for the 2022-23 school year with an abbreviated summer schedule. Younger students are attending enrichment programs. Suazo-Cruz is making up three classes in order to stay on schedule as a senior at Big Picture Learning Academy.
“I just think it suits me. It’s better for me than regular school,” said Trinity Gray, 16, a rising sophomore at Camden High School who is taking three courses. “I know I need this to get to my next grade.” During a science class last week, veteran teacher Tracy Freeman covered biology, chemistry and physics lessons with about two dozen students scattered around her lab at Camden High. They used 3-D microscopes to examine insects eaten by ”Lizzy,” a lizard. Another day they learned how to measure liquids and solids and how to use a graphic calculator.She said some of her students failed classes during the school year after being tardy because they had to ready younger siblings for school.