When it comes to K12 education, there is no magic formula and certainly, one-size doesn’t fit all. No one knows this better than Alejandro Madrigal, the principal at C.G. Bethel, an alternative charter high school in North Miami that caters to students who have fallen behind or felt lost within the traditional school system.
Nestled between a municipal park and retail stores, C.G. Bethel is a sanctuary for students in desperate need of a second, and sometimes a third, chance. For 9 years, Mr. Madrigal and his team have provided a path to graduation for these kids, as well as much-needed support and friendship. There are many stories of success here and Madrigal shares them all with a pride that’s usually reserved for parents. He talks about Sara who came to C.G. Bethel as a young single mother who had recently lost her own mother. Thanks to the shorter school day and coursework that allows students to work at their own pace, Sara was able to raise her GPA, pass the state assessments, and graduate Valedictorian in 2019.
“As a football player, I was taught to be resilient. No matter how difficult the obstacle, you don’t give up,” says Madrigal. He brings that same energy, focus, and determination to the halls of his school. Under his direction, more than 700 students have graduated in the past eight years, graduation rates have increased, and the school’s overall grade is Commendable – the highest grade for an alternative program. (Note: Alternative programs are graded Needs Improvement, Maintaining, or Commendable instead of receiving an A-F grade from the state.)
Varline credits Mr. Madrigal for helping her stay focused in school.
His mission extends beyond raising grades. An award-winning high school football coach that played high school and college football, Madrigal is more life-coach and friend than principal. “He is the first principal that has ever spoken to me face to face,” explains Varline, 17. “His office door is always open so we can stop by and talk to him when we need to,” she explains. The youngest of six, she struggled at her assigned school but found a perfect fit at C.G. Bethel where she has excelled at Algebra and is looking forward to going to college after graduation next year.
The school’s curriculum combines teacher-led classes and individualized work – giving students an opportunity to move through the course work at their own speed, grasping the material that once felt foreign. But this program doesn’t simply help raise a student’s grade or get him/her closer to a high school diploma. This program soothes souls and boosts confidence.
Alternative charter schools, like C.G. Bethel, play a critical role in Florida’s K12 system of public education. Traditionally, they have served at-risk students who may have emotional or behavioral issues that make it difficult for them to succeed in a traditional public school setting. However, today’s alternative programs are much more; They provide an option for students who want a high school diploma but whose schedule, and personal circumstances, make attending a full day of school impossible. At C.G. Bethel, Madrigal has worked hard to create an environment of hope where students want to come to school.
“I had a phenomenal high school experience. I want these kids to have the same,” he says. There is Spirit week, student government elections, community service projects, movie days and staff/student bonding activities. Then there are things you don’t usually find at a regular high school like one-on-one attention. Here, every staff person and teacher knows every student by name and continually checks in on them. Everywhere you look there are powerful messages – murals with inspirational words, photos of past graduation ceremonies, and images of alumni wearing their military best. Sometimes bold and sometimes subtle, the inspiration is all around with the singular goal of pushing kids to keep working and keep their eye on the prize. Like the school’s mascot, the Phoenix, the message is to keep rising.
C.G. Bethel is governed by NorthStar Academies and managed by EdisonLearning.
a third, chance. For 9 years, Mr. Madrigal and his team have provided a path to graduation for these kids, as well as much-needed support and friendship. There are many stories of success here and Madrigal shares them all with a pride that’s usually reserved for parents. He talks about Sara who came to C.G. Bethel as a young single mother who had recently lost her own mother. Thanks to the shorter school day and coursework that allows students to work at their own pace, Sara was able to raise her GPA, pass the state assessments, and graduate Valedictorian in 2019.
“As a football player, I was taught to be resilient. No matter how difficult the obstacle, you don’t give up,” says Madrigal. He brings that same energy, focus, and determination to the halls of his school. Under his direction, more than 700 students have graduated in the past eight years, graduation rates have increased, and the school’s overall grade is Commendable – the highest grade for an alternative program. (Note: Alternative programs are graded Needs Improvement, Maintaining, or Commendable instead of receiving an A-F grade from the state.)
