The Many Farms Alternative School is an academic program which provides and opportunity for students to complete the required course work necessary for high school graduation. The school will meet the needs of the at-risk student by providing an alternative setting with the goals of modifying student behavior and ensuring academic success.

 

Philosophy

 

Not all students learn best in the traditional educational setting. Some students need a different approach to teaching and learning. In addition, some students need an alternative setting to improve social and interpersonal skills. Some older students, who have for whatever reason failed to make the necessary progress in the regular school, just simply need a last chance to fulfill graduation requirements.

 

Objectives

 

1.                 Each student will develop the necessary skills for self-sufficiency and interpersonal responsibility.

2.                 Each student will achieve his/her educational goals be meeting the school learning guidelines for high school diploma.

 

Eligibility

 

The target population for the alternative school is the ninth through twelfth grade student (ages 14-21) who has been identified as “at-risk” for dropping out of school. Student that meet one or more of the following criteria may apply:

 

1.                 One or more year behind his/her group in number if credits.

2.                 Chronically poor grades and/or attendance that results in loss of credits.

3.                 Pregnancy or teen parenthood.

 

Application and Acceptance

 

Prospective student must complete an application and participate in an interview in order to be considered for the alternative program. The application form can be obtained from the counselor or the register at Many Farms High School. All high school transcripts must be included with the application. Once the mandatory background check is done, qualified students will be placed on a waiting list and admitted to the class when space is available. Enrollment will take place at the beginning of the school year and again at the beginning of the second semester. Once students are ready to join class, they need to fill out enrollment forms for Many Farms High School. They will be required to provide the standard documents necessary for any enrollee of the high school-birth certificates, health forms, etc. The alternative high school is not a drug rehabilitation program. Students who have previously been expelled or suspended from school for drug or alcohol violations will not be admitted if they have not completed a treatment program. The alternative school will not admit any student who has demonstrated severe violent social behavior such as weapons possession or assault and battery.

 

The School

 

Upon a student’s acceptance into the alternative school, the teacher, the director, and the counselor will develop and Individualized Growth Plan (IGP) for the student. A parent/student meeting is scheduled for information and testing. At the meeting, the IGP will be signed by both parent and student. Adult students will be granted all rights of adulthood. The alternative school follows the same school calendar as Many Farms High School. Students may ride the bus to and from school, or they may provide their own transportation. Classes will be held from 8:10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday, and 8:10 a.m. to 1:50 p.m. on Fridays. The alternative school will use the computer as one of many tools to educate students. Classes will also utilize textbooks, workbooks, videotapes, etc. All instruction in individualized, self-paced, and competency based. The school offers all the required classes and enough electives so that a full high school education can be obtained on-site. The alternative school is self-contained. Students do not change classes as in a traditional school setting. Students will take the current high school achievement test, the AIMS test, the ASVB test, and the ACT test. Upon completion of his/her IGP, the student will receive a diploma from Many Farms High School and will be eligible to participate in the high school’s graduation ceremony. Residential housing is available based upon approval from the dorm manager.

 

Rules and Discipline

 

Students are subject to random searches, without prior notification, of pocket, purses, book bags, vehicles, desk area, and other personal effects by staff, campus security, police, dogs, or metal detectors. Students are subject to expulsion from the program for using vulgar, profane, racial, obscene, or abusive language. Threats to staff or students is cause for immediate expulsion. Students must follow all rules of Many Farms High School as prescribed in the Student Code of Rights and Responsibilities. They must also follow the classroom riles as established by the alternative school staff.

 

Attendance

Students will follow the attendance policy of Many Farms High School. A Flexible schedule can be arranged to accommodate outside job and/or family responsibilities. Otherwise, the 10-day absence rule will apply. A total of 10 absences will result in the student being dropped from the school.

 

Progress

Students will be issued quarterly report cards indicating progress for the grading period. All credits completed and grades earned will be included in these reports. Those students who do not earn at least two credits per semester will be dropped from the school.