LIVERMORE FALLS – On Tuesday, James Gilbert worked on a Web site that he is developing as one of his graduation requirements at the Progressive Learning Institute.

Gilbert, 17, left Livermore Falls High School earlier this year. He was attending night classes when adult education Director Carrie Castonguay told him about the learning institute. Gilbert enrolled and is one of three seniors who will graduate in June.

The SAD 36 Adult Learning Center launched the new program in January. It’s modeled after the Carleton Project in Aroostook County, a state-approved private school for young people who haven’t been successful in traditional schools. The project allows them to take responsibility for their own education and to build a curriculum based on their individual interests.

The local institute offers more freedom and less structure than a traditional high school, Gilbert said.

“It’s learning at your own pace,” he said. “Everybody is doing something else.”

On the Web site he’s creating for the institute, Gilbert features its mission statement: “Striving to help young adults in our community reach their unique potential.”

The program, which runs year-round, four days a week, serves 15 former dropouts, ages 16 to 20.

Students fulfill all requirements of a traditional diploma, plus 200 hours of work, an extensive English portfolio and a one-year transition plan, Director Castonguay said.

Each potential student goes through an interview prior to being accepted to determine if the program is appropriate for them, instructor Christopher Ellingwood said.

They need to be committed and understand their responsibilities, he said.

Sharron Wallace, 20, whose sights are set on becoming a nurse, walks her 18-month-old son, Donoven, to day care each day before walking to school.

“This program is so flexible. I missed a whole month of school (due to bad weather), which I would never, never, ever have been able to do” at a regular high school, she said. “I want to get my diploma. That’s the bottom line. That’s the ticket to college, to better jobs. That’s Donoven’s ticket for a little four-wheeler.”

Kyle Braley, 17, struggled during his sophomore year of high school and dropped out the next. At the institute, he finds it’s easier to get along with people.

“There is not that many kids here, so if we need help we could have a one-on-one conversation,” he said.

Brian Legere, 18, left SAD 36 his junior year to live with his father in Lewiston. He found himself getting deeper into trouble and was looking for a way out when his best friend, Braley, told him about the program.

“I didn’t want to go back to school, but I started thinking about it and thinking about it,” Legere said. “I ride my bike to school every day from Gibbs Mill Road (in Livermore), so obviously there is something here for me. I’m very dedicated.”

Everyone has hopes and dreams, Legere said. “You can only pursue them by helping yourself.”