Alternative High School

DEFINED:  Alternative High School provides an alternative educational placement for students who are at risk of dropping out or withdrawing from school.  Activities emphasize improved attendance, study skills and classes that assist students in earning high school credits toward graduation.     STUDENT PROFILE:  Students most likely to benefit from the program are Columbus East & North High School students.  The program targets those students who, as a result of poor attendance and low motivation are at risk of dropping out of school.  They often have failing grades and as a result, have earned very few credits toward graduation.  As a result of these issues, their self-esteem is very low and they cannot survive in the “traditional” high school setting.  These students are often identified by: · Poor Attendance · Failing Grades · High School Transcripts - # of credits, class rank, GPA · Low ISTEP scores · Low self esteem and/or motivation Alternative High School may not be suitable for all students. Alternative High School is not an alternative to suspension or expulsion.  Students with chronic behavior/discipline problems; students who may pose a physical threat to others; students requiring a highly structured setting; and, or students experiencing immediate crisis may not be suitable for Alternative High School. STUDENT SELECTION:  High School Counselors and Deans from Columbus North and Columbus East will refer students to the program.  A representative from the home school will attend the entrance meeting to convey teacher/counselor/dean concerns and student needs.  All entrance meetings will be held at McDowell Education Center to provide the student and parent an opportunity to tour the facility.  The meeting will serve, as an opportunity to define student needs, and determine whether placement in the program is appropriate.  The meeting will also provide an opportunity to set program specific goals and process the necessary documentation.  It is important to emphasize that student selection will be a team process.  However, the McDowell Education Center representative reserves the right to deem an applicant ineligible for the program. We encourage students to take part in C4 vocational classes or other elective classes at the home school during the remainder of the school day.  Once a student has entered the Alternative High School program, they will stay for the remainder of the nine weeks and have the option at the end of nine weeks to return to their home school or continue with Alternative High School. Graduation requirements remain the same as the home school and the state of Indiana. TRANSPORTATION:  Students will ride their normal bus from home to their home school.   A BCSC shuttle bus will bring them to McDowell and return them to their home school. Classes at Alternative School start at 7:50 a.m. GRADES:  Alternative High School students will receive instruction in the following courses, depending upon the needs of the students, and at the end of each nine weeks will receive grades for that coursework. Class periods are longer in Alternative High School allowing the students to receive a semester grade in one nine weeks. Classes offered through Alternative High School are: Science English Math Senior Project History/Econ/Government  Good attendance is expected.  Anytime a student is tardy, truant or has an unexcused absence, that time must be made up.