History classes at the Academies @ Roxborough participated in an interactive experience designed by the Mattie C. Stewart foundation to combat the high school dropout rate.  Students watched a short movie about why education is important to their future.  “The Choice Bus is an experience-based learning tool designed to show young people the power of education, as well as the likely consequences of choosing to drop out of school. It contains a full scale replica of a prison cell which is hidden behind a curtain and flat screen television. Upon entering the bus, a four-minute movie will quiz the audience on the earning potential of a dropout versus a high-school and college graduate. The movie also features several powerful testimonials from people who regret dropping out – prison inmates. When the movie is finished, the cell is revealed demonstrating the stark reality experienced by many dropouts. Students are then invited into the prison cell to briefly experience the uncomfortable living conditions. As students exit the bus, they receive a pledge card and are asked to make a commitment to finish school and make good choices.”