Community : Meet Our Students
Madeline Deavenport
Age 17
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
The Rock School for Dance Education, a pre-professional dance school in Philadelphia, saw the need four years ago for a live-in program. The school's most serious dancers required flexibility with their school days so they could meet the rigorous demands of classical ballet training and performances.
"Our students weren't able to get here for classes and rehearsals because their school schedules didn't allow for it, so the directors, Bo and Stephanie Spassoff, decided to explore some options," said Alison Staplin, dean of The Rock School. "That's when we found Keystone National High School, and The Rock Academic Program Alliance was created."
"I like it so much better than when I was in public school and trying to find time for training and performances," Madeline said. "By working at my own pace, I complete my school work much more quickly than I did in the regular classroom. It's a lot more efficient, so I have time to train as much as I need to."
Keystone, a fully accredited, independent study program, provides the majority of the academic portion of The Rock School's residence program. Keystone offers self-paced study and education to more than 20,000 students each year from all 50 states and around the world. It serves both students enrolled in traditional schools and home-schooled students alike.
The Rock School's residence program now enrolls 35 students, who hail from across the country and abroad. The 27 of them who are high school students are working at their own pace using Keystone's curriculum and support. They vary in age and grade level and work toward individualized weekly milestones set by The Rock School's academic staff, which keeps them on track to graduate on time.
One student in the residence program is Madeline Deavenport, 17, who moved across the country from San Diego last year to join the program. She had just completed a summer dance program at The Rock School when she approached her parents about staying year-round. "They weren't really ready for me to live away from them, but if I wanted to succeed in my dancing I needed to do this," she said. Despite the fact that she misses her family and friends -- as well as surfing the California waves -- it's a change, she said, that's been positive.
"I like it so much better than when I was in public school and trying to find time for training and performances," she said. "By working at my own pace, I complete my school work much more quickly than I did in the regular classroom. It's a lot more efficient, so I have time to train as much as I need to."
Students rise each morning to report to a classroom, where they work from laptops on a wireless network. They use Keystone's new online courses, and they receive, complete and return assignments online. The Rock Academic Program Alliance's staff is on hand during these sessions, and Keystone instructors provide guidance to students using telephone, email, electronic bulletin boards and online chat. "I get lots of individualized attention," said Madeline.
The Rock School staff works closely with Keystone's Special Accounts manager. "She makes the curriculum work for us, and she always responds quickly when we need her," said Alison. Keystone tailors the curriculum to fit the needs of the students, for example, by accepting credit for The Rock School's ballet, dance history and career development courses.
As for the quality of the Keystone curriculum, Alison has rave reviews. "I'm an educator, and I've been extremely impressed with the caliber of courses. All of our students are well-prepared for the PSAT and SAT, which makes them competitive when applying for colleges and universities," she said.
"I'm an educator, and I've been extremely impressed with the caliber of courses. All of our students are well-prepared for the PSAT and SAT, which makes them competitive when applying for colleges and universities," said Alison.
The students' day is tightly structured. They work on academics for two hours each morning. After a short break, they dance for two hours, break for lunch and then return to the classroom for two more hours. After another short break, they attend their second two-hour dance class late in the afternoon, after which they are "tired, mentally and physically," said Alison.
"What's nice about Keystone is if we have a performance that keeps the students busy all day, they can make up their school work at another time in their schedule," said Alison. "These students are very dedicated with a strong work ethic, and their time management skills are really unbelievable. They're prepared for any situation in life."
Madeline said she had to become "very independent, very quickly" and self-discipline has been key to her accomplishments. One of those accomplishments has been earning college credits through "dual credit" online courses at a university. Keystone accepts these credits as part of the requirements for the student's high school diploma. "This is great for our advanced students," said Alison, "so they can get a jumpstart on college while they're still in high school."
Madeline is looking ahead, thinking about what she'll do after she graduates, exploring dance companies, applying for colleges, considering a student apprenticeship or maybe finding a job. She's a talented dancer, and The Rock School has led many students to successful dance careers. However, a future in dancing holds no promises.
"My academics are just as important as my dancing because anything could happen," she said. "The education I'm receiving through Keystone and The Rock Academic Program Alliance is excellent, and I'm glad I have it to fall back on."
