Springfield Republican | 6/15/06

SPRINGFIELD - Six seniors celebrated their graduation from Mill Pond School yesterday.

The school is an alternative program for area students that operates under the auspices of The Children's Study Home.

The students met state and local requirements to graduate and received diplomas from their respective districts.

The graduates are Kenneth Rivera and John Phelps, both of Ludlow; Robert Elwell of Holyoke; and Jim Kneeskern, Ben Baez and Emily Rivas, all of Springfield.

The Children's Study Home serves about 85 students in kindergarten through 12th grade who have educational challenges, said Allen G. Zippin, the study home's director of education.

Zippin said the six graduates passed the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System test.

"I think they deserve an immense amount of credit," Zippin said.

Some of the students will go to college while others will enter the work force, Zippin said.

Zippin said support from the school's staff and parents contributed to the graduates' success.