High School Redirection

High School Redirection is an alternative high school program for youth at high risk of dropping out. The program serves students who have dropped out in the past, teen parents, students with poor test scores, or those who are over-age for their grade, operating in economically disadvantaged areas. The program emphasizes basic skills development with a particular focus on reading skills through the STAR (Strategies and Techniques for Advancement in Reading) remedial reading program for students with serious literacy problems. Schools are kept small (typically no more than 500 students) to foster a sense of community, with teachers encouraged to act as mentors as well as instructors and small class sizes to allow for individualized attention. The program offers opportunities for independent study and accelerated credit accumulation so students who have fallen behind can make quick progress toward graduation. The schools follow the standard district curriculum, provide on-site or off-site child care, offer limited extracurricular activities, issue standard high school diplomas, and maintain autonomy from the local school district in day-to-day policymaking and staff selection.