Student and Family Letters.

“I don't know if I ever thanked all of you properly for what you are doing, but I truly am grateful that John Lackey, Alger, and everyone who has worked for, or is working for, the Alger Learning Center, was there when I needed an education.”              

~Connor Clark-Lindh, Washington, graduated early from the Local program in 2001, accepted to Western Washington University 2001; exchange student at Asia University (Tokyo, Japan), 2002-03; graduated WWU, 2005, with his Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Studies and Journalism.

“Thank you to the staff at Independence High School: You have facilitated many ongoing, memorable team projects between my daughter and I.”

~Irene (Mrs. Glenn) Stoops, North Bend OR. Her daughter Alissa graduated through the Recognition Plan in 2005, at age 16.

“. . . Please let [her former teacher] know that Dania [Chebib, graduated 2000] has transferred to The University of Western Ontario, one of the top two universities in Canada and the one with the best-rated business programs. She is 18 now and is in her third year of University and last year received a 3.85 average . . . Thanks again.”           

~ Dr. Ursula Harlos (Chebib), Dubai, Sept. 2002, mother of 3 past & present ALC/IHS students.

“Mr. Lackey, Matt Blue is enrolled in your distance learning program. He began his studies in March and will finish his senior year early . . . this December . . . thanks to your wonderful program. Had he stayed in the public school, he might have graduated college prep NEXT December! . . . [We] wanted to thank you and your teachers for the opportunity given to Matt and others like him. Designing his own courses of study and realizing that he can learn and is bright has done wonders for his self-esteem. When Matt left the public school system, he felt beaten, judged, stupid, and angry . . . Since he began his independent learning in March, he has read over 30 books dealing with world issues, religions, philosophy, physics, human rights, Latin America, and many others (tons of Che and Noam Chomsky books!!). Matt has a Math LD but did well enough on the ACT to make it. He soared in the Reading . . . 30, and well in English (28). I know these are just tests but since they are still a part of the college application process it is encouraging. We are sure that Matt's reading and independent learning and research increased his tests scores . . . Matt is finishing his studies now . . . Matt hopes to enter Savannah College of Art and Design in January. Matt has big plans . . . wants to be a film director and major in history. Savannah is the first step . . . he is hoping to be accepted to Hampshire College in Amherst next year . . . Thanks again for the opportunity given to [our] son.”

~Dr. and Mrs. Richard Blue, Georgia, Nov. 2002 [Note: Matt graduated in Dec. 2002, 6 months ahead of his public school peers, and began college at one of the several schools that accepted him].

“Again I would like to tell you how pleased we are with your umbrella program and the invaluable help that you gave us as we searched for an acceptable way to complete Chad’s High School education. You are providing a wonderful service.”

~Rev. Daniel Corbett, Freeland, WA. father of 2005 graduate Chad Corbett.

“We have appreciated our time with your school. Your work is a great service to independent learners. We will be continuing to recommend your school to friends and colleagues.”

~Suzanne Tattan, Damascus, Syria, mother of Yusef Tattan, 2005 Recognition graduate.

“Thank you again for providing a much-needed and appreciated educational option for us and [our son] . . . Harry has had a very successful year and we are very pleased with his progress . . . [and] with our association with Alger Learning Center/Independence High School. Together with the Running Start program offered at the local college, it has made Harry’s high school experience very rich and specially tailored to his interests. Thank you for your support.”

~Wil (Mrs. Denis) Harlock, Mount Vernon, WA. Harry graduated 2005 and was accepted to the Digipen Institute of Technology where he will study video game design and programming.

“I just recently graduated from your program. I had a great experience teaching myself, and was able to push myself to success. I want to thank you and [her contact teacher] for a great experience. I entered your program in March. It was my last hope and my last hope ended up being my dream come true. You have a wonderful program going on there . . . Now I can flash around my diploma and start my future as a chef. Thank you so much.”

~Kristen Egbert, New York City, 2004 Distance Learning graduate who had struggled in the public school system before earning an IHS diploma and entering a culinary arts institute.

“I just wanted . . . to express my appreciation to [you] for helping my daughter gain early admission to one of Japan’s top universities. We live in Tokyo where we homeschool our children. . . . From her pre-teen years, our oldest daughter had a clearly defined goal of gaining admission to Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music, as a voice major. Normally in Japan, it is not possible to apply until one turns 18 . . . Then we noticed the university regulations say that graduates of overseas schools can apply even before age 18 . . . we tried to locate an overseas high school that could accommodate our special needs. We considered several schools but in terms of flexibility, nobody could compare with [you]. Ultimately, it was the only school that could meet our needs. Thanks to your cooperation and flexible assistance, my eldest daughter was able to obtain a high school diploma and then apply to her first-choice university at age 16. . . . she was rejected on her first try, but she re-applied again a year later, at age 17, and was accepted – becoming (to our knowledge) the youngest person ever to matriculate and one of just 23 successful applicants to her department out of an initial field of 209. . . . Alger Learning Center and Independence High School has truly been a godsend to us. I hope you continue to prosper and always retain what I see as one of your strongest features, which is flexibility. We also have younger children and we would definitely consider enrolling them . . . when their turns come.”

~Christopher Witmer, whose daughter, distance learner Kristen Konomi Witmer, graduated in December 2003.

“This is one of the most exciting days of Seanna’s life – the completion of her classes and course descriptions and the final work before graduation! It has been an amazing year – we cannot thank you enough for your help and support and amazing school . . . We have been absolutely amazed by you guys and your service, support, and dedication to a great education! Our family will probably be schooling through Alger even into the next generation . . . It has truly been an incredible experience academically – Seanna has never been so challenged and refreshed by a school in her life! . . . This has been the ‘semester’ of a lifetime! . . . Again, THANK YOU!!”

~Nikki Sharpe, Michigan, whose daughter graduated in July 2004 after completing 13+ credits in one year in the Recognition Plan, for a total of 37.5 high school credits earned, and a 3.79 cumulative GPA.

“Yesterday (June 24, 2001) I witnessed the graduation of another of my children from the Alger Learning Center. The ceremony was typical of the style of teaching that you emit by being casual and student centered. There were a lot of smiling faces in the crowd from parents but even more excitement shown from the graduating class of seniors. Many of whom would not have met this accomplishment without your help.

Anna was my first to meet with you and grow under a system of teaching that allowed her to study and grow without the frustrations of the public school system with a bureaucracy that she struggled under. Anna moved on to the University of Washington and then out into the world. Last winter we attended her wedding in Bangkok Thailand.

Yesterday my daughter Mollie graduated, yet another student frustrated with the public school system. Mollie met with medical needs requiring her to drop out of school during her senior year. So close to graduation with an excellent academic record she was able to finish her requirements for graduation with help from the Alger Learning Center when the public school system was unable or unwilling to go to the level needed for just one student.

Do not misunderstand my support for schooling be it public or private. My wife teaches in the public system and I have worked at all levels in volenteering within the public system of schooling. We need good quality public schools. When they fail to meet the needs of some students we need private schools to assist those who are struggling under that system. Yours has meet the needs of many students who for one reason or another were looking for more than the public school system is able to provide.

John, I can not thank you anough for your work. I have two children who would not have a high school degree without your system of education. As I look at the graduating students I wondered at the change in the lives that you have made to those young adults. You should be proud."


~Dick Zagelow.

“I wanted to personally thank you for the degree of assistance I received from you and the staff at Independence High School. During my three-year involvement with the Alger Learning Center, I have experienced the highest quality of education possible. The individual care and attention shown to me made it possible to excel in my high school education and complete my graduation a full year early. Your preparation has enabled me to accept the challenges facing our generation, and has accelerated my introduction into the career of investment advisor. I was especially grateful for the flexibility of the curricula that I was able to design with the guidance of ALC staff; I was able to design a course which allowed me the time to develop my own computer business, and progress with my long-range goal of becoming a stock broker.

The unique alternatives offered by Independence High School has allowed me to consider, at age 16, a career which would otherwise be limited to the older applicants."

~Nicholas C. Waters.

“I just want to say thank you. I feel more ready for life than I ever could have imagined. Not that I have it all figured out by any means but I want to live it. You have helped me greatly in that process, by providing an avenue for me to really look for myself. That is what my school has been and I am grateful to you for your help!"

~Hillary Funk.

“My experience at Alger Learning Center was a memorable one.
The system at Alger Learning Center allows students to take their own first real step in planning their future by allowing them to design their own classes.
I designed my own classes in order to fit the field of studies that I wanted to focus on after high school. In public school, I found myself wasting time. With the help of Alger Learning Center, at the age of 16 I have graduated from high school and am attending college this Fall."

~Fatimah Khan.

“I want to take this opportunity to thank you and commend you for the educational opportunities that you provide. If Crystal had been forced to remain in public school, I am convinced that she would be a drop-out at this point, instead of being enrolled in college level classes. This would not have been because of poor performance, but rather due to lack of stimulation and support of her abilities. Your program fills the void between no education at one end of the spectrum, and public education at the other.

For someone who is self-motivated, like Crystal, yours is the ideal format.

I also appreciate the fact that you offer this program at a reasonable cost.

We would have been unable to take advantage of this option if it was offered for a cost comparable to other private schools which operate in the area.

Once again, thank you for being a bright light in the long dark tunnel of formal education. I wish you continued success in your program." ~Patricia A. Starcher