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"I came to CBC as a last resort," said Smith, 20.

During his year-and-a-half at CBC, Smith excelled. He earned straight A's during the 2007-2008 school year and served as master of ceremonies for the Class of 2008. He plans to attend Montgomery Community College to study culinary arts, and then transfer to a four-year institution.

Students who graduated July 31 from the program proved they can overcome life's obstacles with hard work, perseverance and a positive attitude.

The program, based in Lanham, is one of Prince George's County Public Schools' Department of Alternative Education options. CBC offers county students ages 16 to 21 the opportunity to finish high school. One hundred students graduated during the ceremony, which was held at Charles Herbert Flowers High School in Springdale.

High school students join the program because they have overcome obstacles such as dropping out of school, becoming teen parents, getting involved with drugs or skipping too many classes. Students who graduate receive a high school diploma, not a GED, from the school they initially attended.

Community-Based Classrooms has approximately 70 students, according to the Prince George's County Department of Education.

Maurice Pitts, 19, of Washington, D.C., was a speaker at the ceremony. He attended CBC after he found out he would not graduate with the class of 2007 from DuVal High School in Lanham. Shundrae Pope, 19, of Landover went to CBC after frequently skipping school during her senior year at DuVal.

Graduates said CBC is a better alternative to traditional school, because of its dedicated teachers and small class sizes.

"There is more one-on-one instruction," Smith said. "They provide a professional, adult atmosphere for you to learn in. If you don't want to come, you don't come. When you come, you want to be there."

Pitts plans to attend Baltimore International College, majoring in culinary arts.

"CBC is like college, not high school," he said. "They teach you a lot — how to be prepared for the world. I wasn't getting that from the school I came from. I like the atmosphere and the way they teach you — more one-on-one."

Pope had a similar experience at CBC. She plans to attend college and study medicine, with hopes of becoming a pediatrician and eventually opening her own office.

"Without CBC and a high school diploma I would have been lost," she said. "There aren't a lot of people in class, so the teacher is there to help you without a lot of disruption. CBC is a good alternative."

Teachers and administrators aid in student success. Chris Martin is a CBC transition teacher who is also involved in recruitment and admissions.

"We reinforce what they've already learned," Martin said. "Their stories are inspirational."

Pope's favorite teacher at CBC was Martin, because his teaching approach was hands-on.

"Mr. Martin is so rad," Pope said. "He's cool, down-to-earth and makes class more interesting. We do interactive activities and do field trips."

Of CBC's 100 graduating students, 74 participated in a pre-and post-graduation survey, said Tammy Williams, principal at CBC. This is the first year for the survey.

"Seventy percent are going on to trade school, a two-year school or a four-year school," Williams said. "I'm so proud of them for overcoming and pushing through."

Of the 100 graduates, 16 received awards in subject areas, three were recognized for earning straight A's during the 2007-2008 school year, and eight received recognition for earning A's and B's during the school year. Two students received a $100 college book scholarship and one received a $250 college book scholarship.

E-mail Liz Skalski at eskalski@gazette.net.