I joined ACE because I struggled with having so many classes in mainstream in one day. By having to jump for one subject to another subject so quickly and manage so much homework, I wasn’t learning things in depth.  In ACE, I knew I could take 2 classes at a time for 6 weeks and this would allow me to immerse myself into those 2 classes.  I also knew this would allow me to have more balance inside and outside of class and would be less stressful.  ACE is also really diverse. When I came to visit the program, I felt like I could identify with students in ACE and that helped me imagine that this could work for me too.   

 

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ACE has allowed me to focus more on the subjects that I wanted to do in life instead of forcing subjects that I didn’t feel would be useful down the road.  It gives me more time to think about each subject instead of just forgetting what I learned when I leave the school each day.  It has also helped me focus more because I am not juggling so many things at once. 

 

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In Genetics, I felt good about the level of competency that I learned and I remember what I learned. In Dramatic Literature, I got to act and that was fun. 

 

The program has met my expectations because I find that I can hold more information in my head.  I am actually going home and talking to my mom about the things that I am learning in school.   I am also on the ACE Student Leadership Team now and I have been working on finding an internship through ACE which I wouldn’t have been able to do last year in mainstream.  ACE has helped me think about my future and explore what I like to do. 

 

The program has also helped me in my outside of school life both mentally and physically.  Now, I have time to go to the Huntington Ave. YMCA and work out after school.  I spend more time with my little brother and I also have time to do my art – drawing and painting.  I had stopped doing it and am now doing it again. Overall, I feel like I’ve been able to get to know myself better. 

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I would want to let them know that ACE helps you explore what you want to do….like internships and they offer a whole class for post-graduate planning that really helps you.  Also, if you are struggling in a class, you have the chance to take the class over.  If you want to take a college class in high school, ACE also has dual enrollment with Roxbury Community College so you can take college classes in high school and transfer that to any state college.