If they want purple hair, let them do their hair. The focus is learning. The Columbus school, named for Meers' late father, Russell Graham, fills an entire former shopping plaza in Beechwold renovated with money from Graham's estate. Students spend most of their time at the building but study independently elsewhere or do community service two days a week. The options for outside study include the Wexner Center for the Visual Arts, the Ohio State School for the Blind and Ohio's Center of Science and Industry.
Students keep a weekly journal about what they have learned.
A group of seven sophomores meets at the Wexner Center, learning to give gallery tours and studying the creative process. Each is to complete a year-long project. Wexner staff guide them as they tour the galleries and discuss symbolism and materials. Brown and teacher Jennifer Jordan join the group to add to their own repertoire and to keep tabs on the students. Lunchtime discussion in the Wexner cafe is charged with energy as students describe their projects.