Lincoln Alternative High School is a “hard-knocks” school in a “hard-knocks” neighborhood. Some of the windows are boarded up, graffiti marks up the walls and security cameras survey the campus. Police officers frequently visit the school and students are occasionally apprehended while in class.

“It has a bad reputation,” admitted newly appointed principal, Jim Sporleder.

Beginning his second year as principal, Sporleder is charged with removing the stigma associated with the school. He hopes to accomplish this goal by instituting new policies aimed at increasing student engagement.

“I promised the kids three things when I came over: a safe environment, a culture of care and a productive learning environment,” said Sporleder. “I feel those three promises were actually commitments to their voice.”

Sporleder is carrying out his commitment to Lincoln’s students by offering them more flexibility during the school day. Instead of the traditional six-period day, Lincoln has seven periods, allowing students deficient in credits the chance to catch up by attending one more class per year.

Those severely deficient in credits can apply to the GED program and give themselves a fresh start. A GED credential is equivalent to a high school diploma, allowing entrance into a college or trade-school program.

For teen moms or teens forced to support themselves on their own, Lincoln offers a contract program which allows those teens to work mostly from home, only requiring one hour of class time per day.

This flexibility is proving effective. According to Sporleder, only two years ago Lincoln had an average daily attendance of 40 to 50 students–about a quarter of the student population. Today, average attendance has risen to almost 250 students.

For years, Lincoln Alternative High School was known as Paine Alternative High School, named after the first superintendent of the Washington State Penitentiary in Walla Walla. When Sporleder assumed office, he let the students rename the school and change the mascot in order to remove the negative connotations surrounding the name.

“We changed the name to get rid of the stigma surrounding Paine Alternative High School,” said Sporleder. “Students used to feel that this was where all the bad kids went.”

The students at Lincoln also decided on the phoenix as their new mascot, symbolizing their opportunity for a fresh start.

One of Lincoln’s students [who we cannot name for confidentiality reasons] took the message of change to heart, said Sporleder. She shared with him that she had been abusing substances for years and that narcotics were used frequently by her parents. Her parents would even force her to deliver drugs for them occasionally, she said.

“As we changed from Paine to Lincoln,” said Sporleder, “she decided that she was going to make a change as well. She ended up becoming a student leader and we’re very proud of her.”

Stories like this are becoming more common at Lincoln, said Sporleder, as students are beginning to feel more secure and more connected to the faculty. Last year, the front office was moved from the basement to the front of the building, allowing students more of a chance to connect with administrators.

“Our mission here is to build personal relationships with our students,” said Sporleder. “The research is beginning to show that if you build a relationship with a student, you can bring them in to the academic environment.”

Sporleder is passionate about the work he is doing at Lincoln. A 35-year veteran of the Walla Walla school system, he planned on retiring the year before he signed on to become the principal at Lincoln.

“I felt the tug to come this way and I couldn’t get rid of it,” said Sporleder, “so I went ahead and took the plunge.”

The students at Lincoln are grateful he did.