1. Alternative Programs for Struggling High School Students Juliana Cook and Bonnie Neeley  Introductions  Reasons that a student may need an alternative education setting  What alternative programs are available in our community  Referrals  Share resources and good ideas  Challenges  Community partners and collaboration

2. Introductions  Name  Job  District  What you are hoping to get out of this session

3. What are some reasons that a student may need an alternative education setting?  Take a quiet moment to think of two reasons  When you are ready, write them on a post-it note  We will share out as a group  Please leave your post-it with us so we can update the presentation

4. Bremerton Alternative Programs  West Sound Tech / Running Start  GradPoint/Online Learning  Drawbridge  Renaissance High School  Washington Youth Academy  Open Doors Career and Academic Program (Drop-out reengagement)

5. Academic Rigor  All students in alternative programs have to meet the same graduation requirements as students in traditional settings.  Some differences might be:  The way credit is earned  The pace of instruction/learning  Class schedules  Seat time

6. Outline for Each Program Description  What  Where  Targeted population  How to contact or refer  Characteristics of students who benefit from this program  How do special services fit in?

7. West Sound Tech / Running Start  What: Skills training or college courses  Where: Part-time at high school and part-time at WST or OC  Targeted population: Juniors/seniors looking to enhance their traditional high school experience with career/college classes  How to contact or refer: For WST, look on the BSD website, for RS, look on the OC website to begin process. Both require referring high schools.  Characteristics of students who benefit from this program: Students who can manage multiple worksites and schedules. For WST, a strong desire to be hands-on. For RS, strong academic skills and ability to pass the Accuplacer.  How do special services fit in: At WST, the sending district provides accommodations/services. For RS, the student must register at OC with the Disability Services office.

8. GradPoint / Online Learning  What: Curriculum delivered online  Where: Onsite at BHS, RHS, OD, or at home  Targeted population: 9-12 students looking to recover credits or have a flexible schedule  How to contact or refer: High school counselor  Characteristics of students who benefit from this program: Independent, able to read and follow directions  How do special services fit in: Some accommodations can be provided

9. Drawbridge  What: Contract and tutorial-based program  Where: BHS  Targeted population: Seniors who prefer a non-traditional setting and tutorial structure  How to contact or refer: BHS counselor  Characteristics of students who benefit from this program: Motivated, independent, project-oriented  How do special services fit in: Some accommodations can be provided

10. Renaissance High School  What: Classroom-based alternative setting with max class size 15  Where: Adjacent to Bremerton school district office  Targeted population: 9-12 students who are not finding success in a traditional setting  How to contact or refer: Counselor or Lisa 473-4706  Characteristics of students who benefit from this program: Independent student who is willing to do school work and who is looking to catch up, keep up, and get ahead. Looking for some characteristics of a traditional high school: yearbook, assemblies, teacher relationships  How do special services fit in: Some accommodations can be provided

11. Washington Youth Academy  What: Five month onsite credit retrieval program  Where: Near Pendergast Regional Park  Targeted population: 16-18 year olds who are credit deficient, have physical and mental stamina, are drug and felony free.  How to contact or refer: Apply online; there are two classes per year.  Characteristics of students who benefit from this program: Able to take direction and structure, do physical activities, be independent and away from family for long stretches.  How do special services fit in: Accommodations are implemented as best as possible

12. Open Doors Career and Academic Program  What: Drop out reengagement program  Where: On Marion near the district office  Targeted population: 16-21 year olds who have left high school for any length of time who require little structure and are looking for career, academic, and social service support  How to contact or refer: School counselor or Annette Johnson 473-4734  Characteristics of students who benefit from this program: Intrinsically motivated, independent, good communicators  How do special services fit in: Some accommodations can be provided

13. Have we missed anything?  Are there any programs that you know of that we have not covered or that you would like to discuss?

14. Referrals  When do we refer a student? What does the data tell us?  Who do we refer? Are there any cases we want to discuss? (no student names, please)

15. Challenges  Daycare for student parents  Transportation  Delayed gratification / motivation  Mental health  Poverty  Housing  Sobriety  Collaboration between all entities  What to do with a student who is waiting to enter an alternative program?

16. How can we improve collaboration between all people involved and how can we close the gaps?

17. Are any students missed in these programs?

18. Community Collaborations / Resources  Coffee Oasis  Backpack Brigade  Shriners  StandUp For Kids  Local companies and employers

19. Share Resources and Good Ideas

20. Alternative Programs for Struggling High School Students Juliana Cook juliana.cook@bremertonschools.org Bonnie Neeley bonnie.neeley@bremertonschools.org