The challenge of moving from the protected and somewhat rigid environment of high school to college is challenging for all young adults. In fact, the suicide rate at some colleges can be disturbingly high. It is well known that most high schools do not teach students what to expect in college, and many find it quite difficult to cope.
We encourage many of our students to take college classes while still in high school and living at home so they have become familiar with the college environment by the time they graduate BCS. We offer support to help explain what this great and exciting life transition is all about. We not only provide a top-notch education to our students and prepare them for higher education after high school, but we also take very seriously the acquisition of real life skills in a very demanding modern world. We call this aspect of Balboa City School our internship program. Each year we have more students in our intern program; many are paid, but certainly not all. We have had great success in building real partnerships in the community. Here are a few of our current internship opportunities:
This group meets aboard the USS Midway one Saturday each month. Working under the leadership and supervision of the museum’s manager of aircraft restoration, these students assist in the preservation and maintenance of the many aircraft on static display.
These students provide weekly care for the many live specimens on display at the museum. They are also available to answer questions posed by the public in the Discovery Zone.
Interns at Adaptive Computer Empowerment Service work with the predominantly volunteer staff to refurbish donated computers that are then resold for a nominal $50.00 to individuals who cannot afford a new computer. The computers are also provided with basic word processing and Internet access software.