GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (GRPS) -- It's a one-of-kind learning experience - and for alumni like Jaylen Finn, the Grand Rapids Learning Center wasn't just a place to earn a high school diploma, it was a launchpad for discovering his passions and exploring possibilities for his future.
"I really felt stuck. I didn’t know where I could go," Finn said of his education before arriving at the Grand Rapids Learning Center. "I got presented with options here."
The school's unique approach allowed Finn to tailor his education to his interests and schedule, a flexibility that proved invaluable. He graduated in 2020.
"When I was at the Learning Center, because I got to choose the classes I wanted to take and the times I wanted to take, I was also able to pursue music outside of school. I think this was the best option I could’ve chosen transferring out of my previous high school because this is the only school in West Michigan where you can have this kind of opportunity."
His journey wasn't just about academics, it was also about personal growth and exploration.
"I got to experience the life of being a college student while finishing up my high school diploma. It really opened up a different perspective of school because I was doing multiple things at once."
One of the standout features of the Grand Rapids Learning Center is the range of options available to students, many of whom graduate with more than just a high school diploma.
"A lot of students have the opportunity to leave with an associate’s degree," Finn explained. "I got to discover what I wanted to do in life; I wasn’t stuck with one option. Here, with just the sheer amount of options, we get to discover - we get to learn about ourselves, about where we want to go."
