The First Place Virtual Learning Center

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The Building Bridges (Classroom Without Walls) Demonstration Project is a two-year program on drop-out prevention. This program specifically targets poor, low income, expelled, and suspended students of color in grades 5-12 who are at high risk of dropping out of school.

The purpose of this program is to demonstrate how to encourage at-risk students to stay in school. Through traditional learning in classroom setting paired with reality-based learning and involvement in the community, this program will promote respect, empowerment, self-confidence and self-efficacy in students across Washington State.

Directors of this demonstration project include:

• Doreen Cato, Ed.D - Executive Director, First Place School in Seattle
  
• Maxine Mimms, Ph.D - Executive Director, Maxine Mimms Academy in Tacoma
• Henry Beauchamp - Executive Director, Yakima Valley Opportunities Industrialization Council

Partners working together on the project include:

• First Place School - LaKesha Knatt - Building Bridges Program Coordinator
• Tulalip Elementary- Teresa Iyall, Principal
• Maxine Mimms Academy - Isa Nichols, Director of Quality Control
• Yakima Valley OIC - Sondra Pieti, Director of Youth Programs
• Parents for Student Success - Dawn Mason, Principal & Founder
• Knowledge Points - Janie Mattision, Director & Keith Ritzmann, Renton Franchise Owner