A well-liked principal for Southwest Open School is resigning after seven years at the helm.

Jean Lovelace has overseen the high school’s transition from a small, little-known alternative school to an innovative charter school respected statewide.

But after an 11-year career at the Cortez school, she will hand off the baton and move from the area.

"It was time to pass the leadership on to someone else," Lovelace said. "I think we have created a model school here for others to follow."

Accomplishments under Lovelace and her staff have been numerous.

Southwest Open targets students who do not do well in a traditional classroom, including former high-school dropouts, expelled students and teenage parents.

To better accommodate at-risk youth along with those needing advanced challenges, a unique curriculum known as expeditionary learning was initiated.

The teaching method meets state standards, but also gives students more freedom in how they gain knowledge and experience.

"It is more inquiry-based, which we found leads to higher test scores," Lovelace said. "Part of it is teaching reading, writing and math in every class, and that reinforcement has led to strong basic skills, especially in writing."

Another successful program, called "Discovery," is required for all new students. The six-week class gives intensive lessons in conflict-resolution techniques, motivation, group skills and behavior management.

Promoting the virtues of compassion towards fellow students, even in the face of adversity, is a big part of the class.

"We’ve seen the effects on campus, where kids are learning to resolve differences peacefully and accept ownership in their role of the conflict, because if they don’t, they know they are out," Lovelace said.

Under Lovelace’s tenure, a day-care center was established to serve teenage mothers, and a school-based health clinic opened its doors on campus.

The school graduation rate is low compared to mainstream schools, she said, but the 20 to 25 students who graduate every year probably would not have done so without the SWOS choice.

"For a lot of our graduates, they are the first ones in their family to earn high-school diplomas. A lot of them go to college, or into the military," she said.

The school campus has grown with the student population. Ten years ago, SWOS enrolled 60 students. Today, enrollment is at 150, an ideal amount that is enough to support enough teachers for all subjects while keeping class size low. One-third of students are American Indian.

Lovelace was instrumental in establishing Southwest Open as a Colorado charter school. Previously it was an alternative school that operated under the Southwest Board of Cooperative Services.

The move streamlined SWOS administration under Re-1, yet retained the school’s far-reaching service area.

Her presence and knack for communicating with kids will be missed, SWOS board members said.

"She understands where kids are coming from where a lot of people do not," said board member Dorris Turtle-Lehi. "She interacts with students a lot and makes them more responsible for their actions in a way that works, not pushing and pushing until they get even more upset."

Added board member Angel Hubbard: "I did not want to see her leave. Jean cares about those kids, especially the at-risk ones who have been kicked around a lot and never had anyone care about them. She makes them feel special."

As for her short term plans, Lovelace, an avid outdoor enthusiast, looks forward to the physical challenges at her new home in Boise, Idaho.