Recently, Durango High School's El Diablo Student Newspaper published a very interesting article related to the AHS/DHS expereince. Although the adults still continue to struggle to articulate the differences between our local secondary options, our students appear to have complete clarity on the situation. Academic rigor, preperation for college, strong student-faculty relationships, exciting classes and great food seem to be defining characteristics of the AHS experience. Thanks Trinity, Cole and Chloe for your honest assessment of your experiences as 9th graders-we appreciate all that you've done for us this year!
Former Animas High students find new home at DHS
Larger social life a draw for some transfer students
By Haley Cotageorge
The year 2009 brought many changes to Durango, one of the biggest was the formation of Animas High School, a charter school. Many students going into high school had the option of Animas or DHS, and picked the school based on what they felt would provide the best education.
About eight weeks ago, three students from AHS transferred to DHS, Chole Mouret, Trinity Aguilar, and Cole Korte.
“I wanted to meet more people in high school,” Mouret said.
Mouret, however, misses not worrying about credits, which she didn’t have to do at AHS.
“The counselors made sure to sign me up for the classes where I would get all of my credits at Animas, but here, I have to count them and make sure I have them all,” Mouret said.
But Mouret said she gained freedom when she came to DHS. “It’s a lot different being able to go somewhere for lunch instead of sitting on the floor with everyone,” said Mouret.
Lunches are very different at AHS, in part because they are catered by local restaurants, such as Homeslice, Zia’s, J Bo;s and East-by-Southwest.
“My favorite aspect of DHS is having an open campus lunch and my favorite aspect of AHS, is that they serve better food.”
Some student enjoy the broad social opportunities at DHS.
“I was excited to make new friends in high school, and at DHS it’s easier to meet people because there are many more. I miss my friends at Animas a lot though,” said Aguilar.
Aguilar also misses the 100 percent acceptance into college policy, offered by Animas, for those who want to go to college.
“My favorite aspect of AHS was the education, but my favorite aspect of DHS is the social part,” said Mouret, “Also, something I gained from transferring was sanity. AHS was fun, but a little crazy.”
Korte agreed with both Mouret’s and Aguilar’s ideas about transferring.
Something Korte gained when he transferred was making new friends.
“My favorite aspect about DHS is how there are more opportunities and my favorite aspect about AHS was the food and the more exciting classes,” said Korte.
