Jenson says it's taken five years to figure out logistics for the academies — it's phased in the concept with freshmen and is still working out details for a required senior project, starting next school year. Data on reform success has not yet been collected, but Jenson says behavior problems and suspensions are down, and attendance is up.

"(Students) are connecting to people, connecting to each other. It's a friendly place," Jenson said of his school. "(Outsiders) operate under the myth we're trying to make kids into . . . electricians and plumbers. We're not. . . . We're not channeling kids, we're giving them a sense of direction" that can lead to a career, college or a job in the transition.

• Granite plans to share elements of East's and Ogden's academies. Students next year don't have to commit to an academy and still can access accelerated course work. The school won't offer competitive athletics or cheerleading — a sore spot for one of several groups attending a rap session with McDaniel last week — as Ogden and East do, but students can play at their new boundary high schools. And, McDaniel stresses, it won't be an alternative school.

"We want kids to come here to get a good , strong education that prepares them for college . . . then build the academies (and business and university partnerships) to meet the special needs of these kids," McDaniel said. "If . . . failure is an option, then kids will take that option. We have to take that option away."

McDaniel is known for doing just that at Granite Park Middle School, which includes "small learning communities," in-school teacher planning and coordination time, and offers remedial and "flex" classes where students explore subjects from girls' charm to guitar.

"Personally, I took this job because it's challenging," said McDaniel. "Whenever people tell me something can't be done, it inspires me to try to prove them wrong."

Granite sophomore and Granite Park alumna Liliya Reymer has great faith the school's plans will shine.

"I'm excited. I know Mr. McDaniel can change anything for the better," Reymer said. "Granite Park started out as ghetto, and now it is the best."

East's Roberts notes Granite's feat is not impossible.

"It does take some time for everybody to not only understand and agree on the vision but develop the details of it," Roberts said. "If you've got people that are really wanting to be creative, open-minded and hard-working, they can do it (within a year)."

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E-mail: jtcook@desnews.com; terickson@desnews.com