Girls who are arrested are more likely to drop out of school or struggle with literacy.
PACE Center for Girls in Winter Park uses class work and counseling to help girls some of whom have a criminal record.
The Education Desk spoke with Director Rosene Johnson and one of her students Hazel who plans to study medicine.
Johnson says many of her students' behavioral problems stem from past trauma including domestic violence, sexual abuse, and homelessness.
She says by addressing this trauma with one-on-one counseling and smaller class sizes girls are able to transition to a traditional school or to start a job.
The school enrolls girls ages 11 through 17 and serves more than 60 girls each year.
To learn more about PACE Center for Girls click on the link.
If you’d like to listen to the interview, click on the clip above.
Education reporting on 90.7 News is supported by Helios Education Foundation.