Dr. Tony Bennett, State Superintendent of Public Instruction, acknowledges state senator Earline Rogers during a grand opening ceremony for the Roosevelt College and Career Academy in Gary Wednesday Aug. 15, 2012. | Andy Lavalley~Sun-Times Media
Principal Terrance Little speaks during a grand opening ceremony held outside the Roosevelt College and Career Academy in Gary Wednesday Aug. 15, 2012. | Andy Lavalley~Sun-Times Media
Roosevelt College and Career Academy instructor Matt Justin practices greeting students during the first day of class at the Gary school Wednesday Aug. 15, 2012. A firm handshake and eye contact are part of the program EdisonLearning is implementing at the school. | Andy Lavalley~Sun-Times Media
Katrice Hayes shows the sign for quiet while speaking to students in her 9th-grade English class during the first day of school at the Roosevelt College and Career Academy in Gary Wednesday Aug. 15, 2012. | Andy Lavalley~Sun-Times Media | Andy Lavalley~Sun-Times Media
Ben Clement and April Hattori hang a ribbon across the front entrance of the Roosevelt College and Career Academy in preparation for a grand opening ceremony in Gary Wednesday Aug. 15, 2012. | Andy Lavalley~Sun-Times Media
Dr. Tony Bennett, state superintendent of public instruction, congratulates Tyrus Banks, 12, after the seventh-grader spoke during a grand opening ceremony for the Roosevelt College and Career Academy in Gary Wednesday Aug. 15, 2012. | Andy Lavalley~Sun-Times Media
GARY — The long-shuttered main entrance, marred by rotting concrete steps, opened its doors Wednesday as takeover operator EdisonLearning Inc. launched the school year at the Roosevelt College and Career Academy. New concrete filled the walkways and the steps had been patched. Officials including State …
