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Urban high school's rare feat: No dropoutsCamden, N.J., school built around student's passions, community project

The schools are small and very different from traditional schools. MetEast has just over 100 students — less than one-tenth the enrollment at each of the city's comprehensive high schools. The educators are called "advisers," not teachers, and they advise the same group of students all four years.

Classes are built around the idea that students will learn by following their passions. Students do internships. Graduation requirements include a senior project with the aim of doing some good for the community.And four times a year, every student makes a presentation to a panel that includes students and adults from outside the school.