At-Risk Teens Get Second Chance By Working On High School Farm
Video by Elisa Hernandez
Students at John R. Wooden High School are getting a different type of learning experience.
"Honestly you never know what things could happen here," said junior Andrew Ruiz.
Ruiz shares the campus with chickens, goats, rabbits and geese.
"It's a little different I would say, but it's showing us work ethic," said Ruiz. "We also have to come and feed the animals, [and] filter out the water for the pond."
John R. Wooden High is a continuation school for at-risk teens. The school has an enrollment of only 125 students and a staff made up of five teachers.
"You learn a lot just by taking care of animals instead of taking care of yourself all the time, and you get to grow with these guys," said senior Bryan Perez.
There are over 40 animals on the farm and all of them are rescues. The farm is meant to be an interactive learning place, but for some working on the farm was a second chance.
"Ever since I've been here like I've been away from trouble. I've been away from like the police. You know, I'm just doing me. I'm trying to graduate," said senior Jairo Santibanez.
For over 30 years John R. Wooden High has graduated 97 percent of its students.
