A Student’s Love Letter to Her High School
OUSD’s MetWest High School has recently won media attention for its success in bucking drop-out trends and graduating students. Our intern, MetWest junior Lashae Robinson, wanted to personalize those accolades. Read what she has to say about her high school experience at MetWest below, and don’t miss the ABC7 video clip.
MetWest has been a blessing to me. It was not hard for me to find this school either, I went to the FCO building at 21st and International and they gave a brochure of all the Oakland schools. I read the MetWest description, and was ecstatic about the internship program!
When I went to enroll for MetWest, the guy who processed my paper work, made me kind of skeptical. He told me that if I changed my mind about the school and wanted to transfer, I would not be able to because it was the middle of the school year (he was hating on MetWest!). Boy, was he wrong! I love MetWest and how hands-on the teachers are. Everyone there was so friendly and welcoming from the beginning, including the students.
My advisor really helped me adjust to everything. I adjusted very well thanks to Greg Cluster and Philipp Miller. Greg made it so easy for me to find an internship. Phil helped me with everything! English papers, math homework, and history assignments, etc. Basically, anything I needed help with, he was there for me, he was really determined to make sure that I succeeded. I have used all these resources presented to me. I do not mean to step on the traditional high schools toes but, that is just something you would not receive at “regular high schools.”
MetWest has prepared me for the “real world.” We focus on getting to college and being successful. The group of teachers and a resource specialist at MetWest make it hard for you to not succeed. Every single person at MetWest will help you, all you have to do is ask. Nine times out of ten, they will come to you!
Recently, Channel 7 News came to our school to talk about how we are the counter example to the statistics about Oakland drop-out rates. I am proud to be a part of this innovative school! If you would like to see this video, please click here.
Through MetWest I have been involved with so many organizations, I have met tons of important people, and it is safe to say I will be getting into the college that I want to go to. I know for a FACT that if I did not go to MetWest I would not be interning with the school district, I would not be in All-City Council, and I would not be going to college summit. I would not know that these opportunities are available to me!
I just want to give a quick shout out to some of the MetWest staff…
Eve, thank you for being a wonderful principal, out of all my years in school, I have never met a principal like you!
Beth, I love you sooo much, this is the first time I have ever been able to say that I love going to math class!
Etang, OMG! You don’t know how much I thank you for believing in me, and pushing me to reach my full potential.
Jay, you are so helpful with everything, anytime I ask for help you are always willing to, that makes me so happy!
Christina, you helped me pass CAHSEE, and I’ll never forget that! Coming to CAHSEE prep was really hard for me because I hate math so much. You taught me strategies on how to attack math problems. Thank you so much!
With Love,
Lashae