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"Sometimes I would just pound on the wall and scream, but I had to deal with it," recalls Melissa Matthews of her senior year in high school. What drove the then 17-year-old into such a frenzy? It's not what you think -- she wasn't studying for finals, trying to find a prom date, or filling out college apps -- she was reacting to the screams heard throughout the night from her newborn baby.

Despite becoming pregnant junior year, Melissa didn't drop out of high school or endure the gossip and stares that often accompany a pregnant teen's expanding midsection. Instead, she enrolled in Silver Springs High School (Green Valley, CA), an alternative school for pregnant and parenting teens.

Parental Education
The Alan Guttmacher Institute, an organization focused on sexual and reproductive health research, reports that seven out of 10 teens who give birth complete high school -- a relatively good number considering the strains of attending school while raising a child. Alternative schools like Silver Springs and others across the United States help keep that number from falling.

Melissa says Silver Springs is "just like any other high school," teaching world history, math equations, and how to write English papers. The difference? Students also learn about the birthing process, how to bathe a baby, and positive parenting. The goal is to academically accommodate pregnant and parenting teens so they'll have the same opportunities as traditional high school students, while also preparing them for the demands of having a family.

Babies and Books
Much like Melissa, Leslie Antone was 16 when she found out she was pregnant. A teacher recommended she attend the alternative New Futures School (Albuquerque, NM) to keep her education on track. At New Futures, Leslie had her daughter Esteranze midyear, and was able to return to school two weeks after giving birth. She graduated on time, but attended night and summer school to do so.

"[New Futures'] attendance policy is the same as a regular high school's, but if you or your baby are sick, they work with you to make sure all your work is done," says Leslie. The school's daycare and door-to-door bus service spells scholastic relief as well.

Leslie, now 19, is still active at New Futures on the instructional council, and is currently studying social work at the University of New Mexico (Albuquerque, NM). Three days a week she attends class from 8 a.m. to noon, then works from 1-9 p.m. The rest of the week is spent studying, or with her daughter.

A Common Motivator
Leslie says New Futures encouraged her to pursue college, but what really keeps her going is her family. "[Esteranze] is my biggest motivator because I know I have to provide for her," she says. "As a first-generation college student, I also want to be successful for my family. I always had good grades and didn't want to forget about my future plans."

Melissa's drive stems from a similar inspiration. She graduated from Silver Springs within a year, and three months after having her daughter Savannah, got a full-time job. The 20-year-old is currently attending Sierra Community College (Rocklin, CA), and is two years away from earning her associate's degree. She strives to become a pediatrician or counselor for troubled teenagers.

While Melissa admits Silver Springs helped her stay on track with her studies, she knows Savannah is the one who really drives her to succeed. "Either I was going to leave a kid for someone else to raise, or I was going to make a good life [for myself]," she says, admitting that abortion was not an option for her. "I knew I wanted to go to college so I could have a career and support my child, and deep down I knew I could do it."

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