Specialized Schools Motivate Kids

Melinda Murphy Offers Study Hall Report

(CBS) 
It's that childlike fascination they hope never goes away.

You might be surprised that every one of the schools Murphy visited is a public high school, no tuition. The only requirement: you have to be motivated, and eager to learn.

Also, these students tackle all the basics: English, history, math, science. There's just more of an emphasis on, say, biology at the zoo school.

The idea behind the "theme" high schools is to give students a hands-on experience on subjects that really interest them, something they can't get at a traditional high school. On the other hand, there's no band, no football team. Theme high schools are a good option for some, but it's not for everyone.

What's interesting is that at Aviation High School, several teens said they probably would not go into aviation as a career. One young woman wants to be a teacher, but she, and really all the students, shared a fascination about planes and aerospace. If they do pursue this as a career, though, it's a very big foot in the door.

And at Aviation High School, there is a special effort to get girls to enroll, since that field remains male dominated. The school, hoping to change that, is actively recruiting in junior high. Their first class, though, has a 2-1 ratio, boys to girls.

The other 'theme' Murphy found among students at theme high schools, is that they truly enjoy a place where they all know each other. No cliques; they're on a first-n ame basis with all the teachers, and when they spend time in the principal's office, it's a good thing.