Class Dismissed is a one-hour radio documentary from Capital Public Radio's series, The View From Here . The multimedia project includes web video, photo galleries and full-length print stories for stations to use with attribution.

One in four California adults is a high school dropout. Class Dismissed takes an intimatelook at the crisis through the lives of three young people from California's Central Valley. Their stories reveal what’s at stake for their future and ours.

Unyque Jackson became pregnant in her senior year of high school. But, she didn’t see that as a reason to drop out. Through a school program providing childcare, credits and moral support, she graduated and is moving on with her life.

Roosevelt Webb had no choice but to drop out of high school. His father was dying. A friend told Roosevelt about a charter school where he’d get paid to learn a skill while completing his credits. He’d be the first in his family to earn a diploma if he completes his senior year.

Geronimo Garcia was on the path to dropping out by the time he started kindergarten. He followed his brothers into drugs and gangs. He knows if he doesn’t change his life, he will end up in jail or dead. But it’s hard to break those chains.

These first-person stories explore the reasons why young people drop out of high school and what happens to them and their families if they don't complete a basic education. It’s about schools, families and communities finding the solutions to help young people get back on track. 

WEB EXTRA VIDEO AVAILABLE TO EMBED: Gina Vongkaeo's future wasn't looking very bright. She dropped out of high school, got in trouble and was serving time for burglary. Despite her mistakes, she didn't give up on herself. She found the support she needed to turn her life around. View "Building Futures" on YouTube

DOWNLOADABLE DISCUSSION GUIDE AVAILABLE 209Talks is the community engagement project of Class Dismissed. Like a book club for radio, 209Talks provides a discussion guide for themes raised in the documentary and the community media blog. Because these themes are universal, anyone anywhere could host a community dialogue using audio clips to explore the issues around high school dropout and how to support young people to lead healthy lives. Go to 209Talks .

From the Saviour's conception to offerings of gold, frankenstein and myrrh, six year old Erin Magill of Moretown, Vermont tells her version of the Christmas story, with help from her creche figures.