Students admitted to Elmhurst College must sign a form acknowledging that their admission is subject to cancellation if they receive a grade lower than a C in any senior course. Just one D usually won't get them kicked out. Instead, they'll get a letter warning them that college is difficult and that they will be referred to a tutor in the college's learning center who will keep track of them during their freshman year, said Victoria Valle, dean of admissions. They've probably satisfied their graduation requirements already and, without college, there's no motivation to keep grades up. We just keep talking to them and trying to encourage them.
Students can earn college credit for some of the courses while in high school.
At Elmwood Park High School, students can earn dual credits at the high school and at Triton Junior College in River Grove. The high school district pays the tuition. They can take culinary arts, automotives, nursing. Klaus believes self-discipline is one of the biggest skills his students need to master. But I tell the kids to look at the big picture.