Students and Families: Give us your 2 cents!

We encourage our students and former students to tell us about their experiences at Venture. We also value the insights and observations of our Venture families. Send us an email, or jot your thoughts down on paper We'll publish your comments here so others can get a better sense of what Venture is like from your point of view.

What Students and Families Say About Venture

Current and former students and their families give us their impressions of Venture.

From Loretta Glesener, mother of John Glesener

John left for his first day at De La Salle High School and I spent the morning reflecting on how much he has changed over the past year. One year ago he was starting his eight-grade year in the independent study program through Venture school. The people he met and the experiences he received during his year with Venture helped John become a confident and motivated young man. Prior to Venture, John was a student at a private school who was falling into what I call “the adolescent black hole.” He had lost all self-confidence and completely bored with school. We knew he needed a change in environment to pull him out of his downward slide. With his self esteem so low, we felt he would just drift farther away if he were to attend a large public school. A good friend recommended the Venture school. She explained that it was an independent study school program that was part of the San Ramon Unified School District. One of the great features of this program is that the student can expand and develop in areas that are of interest to them outside the established curriculum. John has a passion for the sport of lacrosse. In his spare time, he was able to work part-time in a lacrosse shop. John was soon learning the importance of inventory control, inventory turns and seasonal sales. The value and importance of algebra was starting to take affect. John was assigned to a wonderful teacher, Rick Johnson, whom he met with once a week to review John’s progress and kept him focused. Rick helped John see his potential as a successful student and was always very encouraging.

One of the most valuable lessons John learned at Venture was not to judge a book by its cover. John admits he initially perceived Ventures as a school for students with emotional and behavioral issues. He soon discovered the program actually helps all types of students who need to discover their potential as a student. John became involved in the Chess club and met many new friends at Venture. Sometimes the least traditional method of learning is the most effective. The Venture school enables students to search and understand their learning potential which helps them visual a truly successful future.

--Loretta Glesener

From Ann Donis, sister of a Venture graduate

Hi Gary,

I have no words to describe my gratitude, and my amazement of your talent with young children. You took my brother (Tito) under your wings, and taught him more than anyone in his life. You gave him hope, confidence, and more important self pride. People like you make a difference in this world, and there are no words to describe how wonderful you are.

Tito's graduation is an amazing accomplishment, and he received much help from you to keep him on track. When I went to Venture I was hopeful, but did have my doubts if a graduation for June could be done, but with your help and Tito's effort, he is graduating tomorrow. You can't imagine how happy he is about this, and how proud he feels about himself.

Tito will start his summer program at The National Hispanic University, but not because he has perfect grades, but because he believed in himself, and he worked hard trying to submit all his paper work, personal statements, and appeal letters. I would have never imagine Tito writing a personal statement, filling out a college application, and even more going to interviews to see how he would be able to get accepted. I see this as a direct result of the confidence, and motivation that he received from you, and everyone at Venture.

It is people like you that can change the world! Gary Thank You So Much! If only you could be cloned and touch so many other lives like you touched Tito's.

Forever Thankful,
Ana Donis Relocation Consultant

From Parent Nechama Robinson

Dear Joan,

I feel compelled to express my profound appreciation to the Venture Program for offering my daughter (Eden Robinson) an academically and socially satisfying High School experience. Ever since Eden reached school age, her scholastic abilities have earned the positive attention of teachers and school administrators alike. To my disappointment, however, few programs I encountered over the years prioritized students’ individuality, confidence and self-reliance, proven building blocks of successful social and professional experience. Over the past nine months, the Venture School has gone out its way to provide Eden with every possible opportunity for maximum academic and personal achievement. Beginning with the school’s willingness to accommodate Eden’s request to follow a cutting edge math program (approved by the Department of Education, nonetheless unconventional in its approach), the Venture School has maintained a learning environment that fosters Eden’s academic curiosity, motivates Eden’s academic commitment and reinforces her academic success. The Venture School more than meets my daughter’s need for an academic environment that affords self-determination, presumes self-respect and encourages unlimited personal, academic and professional pursuit. >

Thank You for making this program possible.

Nechama Robinson MA/MHC

From former student Rebecca Sanders

Joan Diamond,

Hello. I was a student at Venture School (graduated in 1998). My teacher for three years was Andy Enzminger, whom I truly enjoyed working with. I am writing because I often think about Venture and how much it changed my life. I was extremely depressed in 9th grade and detested the public school system in my home town. In 10th grade I was determined to get out of the hole I was in and decided I was going to “sacrifice going to college” by going to an independent study school. In fact, when I told my father I wanted to drop out of public school and go to independent study he said “Well, you can do that but just remember that you will never get into a good college.” Additionally, I was told by a college counselor while concurrently enrolling at a local community college that coming from an independent study school I “should forget about getting into a university straight out of high school.”

At that time I had no idea how wrong these two very influential people were in making these statements. I never gave up hope and in my senior year I applied to several UC colleges. I fully believe that not only were they incorrect in their assumptions, but that Venture School was the sole path that allowed me to pursue my college goals. In 9th grade I was skipping classes and failed my Health class and made a D in Algebra. One year later, during my first semester at Venture I had made solid A’s and A-‘s while taking about 7 classes. It was a feeling I have never felt before in my life. My depression began to lift, my self-confidence grew dramatically and I was able to focus on my art, among other things I loved. I was a camp counselor on several occasions for week long adventures --being a role model for younger kids, leading activates, enjoying nature and consequently maturing at a remarkable rate. Currently, I am working full time at an online art retailer and have recently been accepted into a Forensic Psychology Master’s Program (another one of my interests while I was at Venture).

I have always been extremely grateful for having Venture. It’s an amazing school with incredible staff. After perusing what is now offered at Venture I am astounded at the accomplishments. I can’t believe there are actual art classes, college and career counseling and scholarship opportunities! I wish I could go back to Venture and do it all again. I am very proud to say that I went to Venture School and would highly recommend it to any motivated student who cares about their future. Who knows where I would be now without it.

Regards,
Rebecca Sanders

Product Category Coordinator Merchandising
Art.com

From current 11th grade student Bryan Bruno

Throughout the school year of 2005 through 2006, there have been numerous events occurring that affected my life and did not affect my life. More specifically, these events large and small helped form me into the person I am to this current day. I began this school year with goals that were in no clear or specific direction and ended with a certain plan of achievement for my future.

Venture is a school that promotes students at their own pace over the traditional school systems of promoting students by their own age group. This reason, amongst all others is the reason I joined Venture. I knew that I could stay in my high school grade level system but take the more challenging and rewarding classes at Diablo Valley College instead of the high school Monte Vista. The transition from Monte Vista to Venture was difficult at first but very rewarding. I was very naive when it came to studying at home instead of in school and I found out quickly that I could not succeed if I did not pace myself through my weekly work. My organization skills improved dramatically since I had to deal with Venture work and DVC work simultaneously. My grades, which lacked in the beginning of the year quickly improved to the level of achievement I have now reached currently.

After my second semester of Diablo Valley College I have matured mentally to exponential lengths. I believe this is due to the environment that I was in. At Monte Vista I was around fellow classmates that did not want to be at school, they attended because they had to. At DVC attendance was not mandatory so the students that cared about learning showed up for class and that really put me in a mature environment. I would like to thank these people even though they had no idea they were molding me to a more mature self, I hope now that I can be an examples to others next year as I attend.

It was five weeks shy of the conclusion of Diablo Valley College's classes when I took the chemistry placement test, and on that Wednesday I chose my career goal in life. After passing the prerequisite test, I decided to enter Pre-Medical studies to later either become a doctor or a dentist. After much thought I feel that these two occupations are the most oriented to the type of person I am currently and want to become in the future. Excelling in hands on activates that require thought is something I find very pleasurable. So during science labs I was thrilled to be able to use the knowledge I learned in class to prove a point or demonstrate its meaning. Being in a profession where I use the knowledge scientific knowledge I have learned in school would be entertaining and would really allow me to excel in my future as a doctor or dentist.

When I look back at photographs and papers I wrote in the beginning and early parts of this school year, it is very easy to see that I have become seriously involved in what I choose to spend my time with. Prior to this school year, if I had the option to go out with friends I would accept it even if schoolwork were not finished. I have learned the true meaning of priority this year at Venture, and because of it I can evaluate myself quite confidently as a very matured young man.

Bryan Bruno
11th Grade, Venture School

From current student Anthony Keita Hartman

Dear Joan Diamond,

Thank you very much for your generosity, as well as your hospitality, for awarding me the Venture School Scholarship. Though I feel that I don't deserve it, I am truly happy that I was awarded this scholarship.

The Venture Scholarship will be a great help towards a new start, as well as a new beginning in the Community Collage life, as well as towards my future.

Though I have never met you, Ms. Joan Diamond, I would still like to show my sincerest thanks for give me a second chance at school and never in my life did I think I would ever graduate on time.

I will always remember Venture, as it holds a place in my heart. Again, I can never say thank you very much enough times as there are truly no words to describe how I feel.

Yours Sincerely,
Anthony Keita Hartman