Shabazz is a public alternative high school that started in 1971. Named after Malcolm X, there's a focus on civically and socially engaged education. The environment is comfortable and there is a real community vibe. The seating consists of comfy chairs, couches, and rugs. Lighting is natural, or with warm lamps instead of overhead fluorescent tubes. Class sizes are intimate, and it's a small tight-knit school overall. Mirrors of Discrimination was a required class for all incoming students. The format was a discussion forum where incoming students would talk about their backgrounds and prejudices. The philosophy was, instead of telling everyone to leave their baggage at the door, we'd bring it to class, where we'd unpack it together in a mediated environment. Issues related to homophobia, racism, sexism, and classism would come up during every session, and at times it became pretty tense. On a very rare occasion, there would be a student who didn't pass the class and couldn't remain at Shabazz. In the end, though, it allowed for a greater degree of trust, communication, and respect among students. I got so much out of the class that I was asked to be a teaching assistant for it during my second semester. Being able to play a meaningful role in a process I could see the usefulness in is something I have seldom felt at any job that I've actually been paid for. There were no grades; instead, there were student assessments. It's impressive that it's publicly funded and still running. It's a very successful alternative school model.