One of the schools in Milwaukee's Sherman Park neighborhood has a history that reaches back more than 100 years.
Washington High School of Information Technology opened in 1911 and is one of the oldest schools in the Milwaukee Public Schools system.
Washington is known for its focus on the use of technology by both students and teachers. Students there say they enjoy having opportunities to focus on subjects that interest them.
"There's actually a school that focuses on the thing I was trying to focus on throughout my entire life," said James Pickett, a member of the 2016 graduating class.
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Other alumni like Earnest Winters say classes helped prepare him for higher education.
"I knew just a little bit about IT classes, but Washington helped me break down that wall of what I didn't know," said Winters.
In addition to classes on information technology, students at Washington can explore a range of subjects, including culinary arts. The school offers a career building program called ProStart designed for students interested in professional cooking and food service management.
Senior Kori Neely-Stebenson says likes that the culinary classes keep her busy.
"The cooking, the book work, everything, nothing is boring," said Neely-Stebenson.
Students and staff at Washington High say they think it's important to embrace and spread the good opportunities their school provides. ProStart culinary arts teacher, Sabrina Manuel agrees.
"Although our students are living in a time when all of this negativity is going on, that they know that when they come to school that they have something positive, said Manuel. "They have something they can actually cling onto."
"I've been here since my freshman year and I love it., said senior Melissa Vernon. "It just gives me more encouragement to let them know what our school is actually about and to see that there's a lot of students here doing good."
Earnest Winters agrees.
"I couldn't imagine Washington not being here. It really helped me out, I don't know where I would be at right now without Washington," he said.
Washington High School has several notable alumni including U.S. Senator Herb Kohl, Wisconsin Governor Lee Dreyfus, Actor Gene Wilder and major league baseball commissioner Bud Selig.
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