Alfred Stern hugs art teacher Julie Hernandez after graduating from Optimist High School in the Highland Park area of Los Angeles. Optimist High works with at-risk students. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)
Irvin Dorantes, left, addresses graduates of Optimist High School. Alfred Stern III, middle, and Martwaunn Thornton, right, react. Five students graduated from the school this week. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)
Alfred Stern III, who now is testing at the 12th-grade level, did well enough to be dually enrolled at Eagle Rock High School, from which he also graduated. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
Augustine Magana, who is on his third high school, expects to graduate from Optimist High School in August and wants to become an actor. I just feel more confident about myself, he says. My best behavior was at this school. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
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Erika Ventura, a transgender student, hopes to graduate in August, but has leukemia and is undergoing chemotherapy. Im an optimist. Its just, like, a happy word, she says. They want you to succeed in the future here. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
