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By Ramona Frances

O'NEALS -- Madera County's newest high school is using a fresh approach to learning, and students are responding favorably.

Minarets High School, in the Chawanakee School District, uses nontraditional methods, favoring project-based assignments in which students have more freedom, and responsibility, in what and how they learn.

The school, founded in 2008 as an educational pilot program with just 27 students, opened its campus this fall with 135 students, and reviews have been overwhelmingly positive.

"I have bounced around to a lot of schools," said 16-year-old sophomore Chyrese Medrano, who calls Minarets the best school she has attended. "This is a school that actually asks for student input. Most of the time, they put our ideas into action. That is so amazing."

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Ramona Frances Ramona Frances is a staff columnist, writer and photographer for the Madera Tribune. You may contact Ramona at 674.8134 ext. 222 or by e-mail ramona (at) maderatribune.net The Madera Tribune online subscription To subscribe or log on, CLICK HERE. For more information first, CLICK HERE.