History of Quest High School
Quest
was established in 2004 by North Branch High School Principal, Mark
Hiltunen and Program Coordinator, Terese Jurgensen who saw the need to
serve all students at North Branch Area Schools. Quest began in an old
storage room with no windows to the outside, one teacher, and one
support staff, Corey Rosser. Quest quickly grew from its original
enrollment of 18 students to its now maximum capacity of 60 students. As
Quest High School grew it was moved to a portable classroom and
provided with updated technological equipment.
In
September 2009, Quest High School was relocated to the second floor
of the Educational Services Building (formerly NB Elementary) at the
corner of Jefferson and Banker Streets. Our staff includes our program
coordinator, Georgette Aguilar, three teachers, Corey Rosser, Todd
Walker, Catherine Yezak and secretary, Sue Schneider. Quest's average
graduating class varies between 25-40 students per year. Quest H.S. has
received great notoriety at the local, state, and national levels due to
its student based initiatives, support from administration and the
community, and from its close knit staff.
Quest's
popularity for what it provides its' students has grown so widely that
we now have frequent contacts requesting enrollment.
Quest's
awards include: 2007 MAEO School of the year, MASB's 2007 Excellence in
Education, MASB's more exclusive (only 9 schools or programs state wide
including all educational levels) 2007 Michigan's Best Award, and
Pearson Digitals national Referencing Success Award.
In
the spring of 2008, Quest was further honored when our long time
supporters, Carolyn and Ron Bower were named Outstanding Advocates of
the year. The Bowers established and personally funded a scholarship
fund in 2007 for Quest High School graduates. It continues to this day!
In
April 2010, our program coordinator, Georgette Aguilar, was named
Outstanding Administrator for 2010 by the Michigan Alternative Education
Organization.
In
May 2011, MAEO again recognized the efforts of our community and
selected the North Branch Masonic Lodge as the recipients of the 2011
Outstanding Advocates of an Alternative HS program! The NB Mason's have
held an annual fundraising dinner for Quest students since 2007,
providing and cooking the food each year!