For Students, Unconventional Ways to Earn Course Credit - NYTimes.com: "Anthony Velez, 16, steered the tiller. Until this year, his main experience with the river was through the 21st story windows of his apartment in a Chelsea housing project. Cole Tallerman, 15, handled the main sail with an easy confidence honed on family trips to the British Virgin Islands. And Leo Martinez, 15, a newcomer to sailing from Brooklyn, controlled the jib.
The hull cut so steeply through the water that sitting became more like standing against a boat-shaped wall. Off the coast of New Jersey, the turn, or tack, was rough. When the boom swung, it glanced Leo in the head. He grinned and shook off the pain.
In short, it was not a typical day in math class, though Leo and Anthony were earning math credit at their school, the Manhattan Business Academy on 18th Street, for being there. “At first I only came for that,” Leo said as the boat steadied, “but now I would do this even if I wasn’t getting credit.”"
