NORWAY – Hollywood filmmakers have made big bucks glamorizing and exaggerating the social pressures in high school.

In real life, however, there are social pressures, and they are obstacles for many kids. Ultimately, some students fall through the cracks.

The Streaked Mountain School in Norway tries to catch them.

Tucked away behind Guy E. Rowe Elementary School in Norway, the school houses kids who, for whatever reason, can’t handle high school. Some have problems in their lives or families, were labeled troublemakers or had stopped going to school for a period of time.

Run much like a home school, students study independently, and educational technician Rei Cortez and teacher Jason Trask assist and grade them.

The SAD 17 board of directors recognized Cortez as staff member of the month Nov. 6. Two of his students came to the board meeting to congratulate him, along with colleagues and family.

“(Cortez) does an incredible job,” Trask said Thursday. “He’s always there for the kids… he’s a really unique guy, a rare breed.”

About 20 attend the school five days a week. Also, about 40 to 60 drop off course work for independent study classes run through the school.

Cortez came to the school five years ago after seven years of substitute teaching in the district.

Cortez said Thursday that while substitute teaching, he always felt a connection with students who were considered problematic. He said he aims to help the students get to know themselves.

“The kids ask very deep questions that don’t pertain to academic programs,” Cortez said. “By exploring these with the kids, they gain a sense of confidence for themselves, which extends into their coursework.”

The biggest challenge of the job is “dealing with things that I really dislike, and trying to lay that judgment aside.”

In some situations, “we go away feeling like we’ve really been pummeled by something,” Cortez said.

Students Krystal Powers, 17, of West Paris and Audrey Bragg, 16, of Norway said the Streaked Mountain School is much better than high school because of the one-on-one help they get.

“In high school I was failing,” Powers said. “Here I’m getting Bs and Cs.”

Powers said the teachers at Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School were not understanding.

Trask and Cortez are “much nicer, they listen and respect you,” she added.

Bragg chimed in, “those two, they’re great guys.”

About 48 percent of the kids go to college, otherwise they go out and get jobs, Trask said.

Powers said she hopes to become a massage therapist when she graduates this spring. Another student said he will go into the military.

Cortez has an art degree, and has used that talent to reach out to students.

Behind one student’s work station is a painting Cortez helped him create.

The student, who requested his name not be used, said he didn’t like middle school or high school. He said both Cortez and Trask are fun to work with.

“They’re both really down-to-earth and nice people,” the student said.

Trask said Cortez has been successful in using art to boost kids’ confidence.

“Cortez does an incredible job teaching art,” Trask said. “The kids had never been invited to express themselves. Usually the kids (initially) say ‘I can’t draw,’ but then create something they’re proud of.”