Program goals include returning students to the regular classroom.
Alternative education programs for middle school students take students that have exhibited numerous problems in the regular classroom and require individual instruction and counseling. Problems can include behavioral issues, poor attendance and academic issues. Students are often recommended for these programs by the superintendent or school board after several suspensions or expulsions.
North Kansas City Schools
North Kansas City Schools features a middle school alternative education program designed for students who have had trouble in a regular classroom setting and are better suited to learning in smaller groups geared towards meeting their academic needs. The program focuses on appropriate social interaction as well as academic achievement.
Stafford County Public Schools
The Stafford County Public Schools System in Stafford, Virginia, offers a middle school alternative education program in grades six through eight that have been referred by the school superintendent or school board following long-term suspension or expulsion. The program meets each day from 7:50 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. for grades six and seven and from 11:45 a.m. to 2:50 p.m. for grade eight. The program focuses on four "core academic" subjects rather than the standard middle school learning program. Subjects include language arts, social studies, math and science. Community service may also be part of the program.
Baltimore County Public Schools
The Baltimore County Public Schools system features an Office of Alternative Education, Dropout Prevention, and Summer School, which includes several alternative middle school locations. The afternoon middle school program provides education for students in grades six through eight that are currently expelled from day middle school. Students work in small groups and receive one-on-one instruction and counseling. The Meadowood Education Center is another alternative education program for middle schoolers that are referred by the school superintendent following an expulsion, program review or long-term suspension as a temporary academic placement.
Glen County Office of Education
The Glen County Office of Education in Willows, California, features a couple of alternative education programs including the Opportunity School, which gives students in seventh, eighth and ninth grades who potentially will drop out of school due to attendance, behavior and academic issues. The school is designed to help such students overcome their academic and behavioral issues through counseling and specialized curriculum gearing toward improving student self-esteem. Subjects studied include math, language arts, social studies, health, science, performing arts, social skills, physical education and career exploration.
Tags: middle school, County Public, County Public Schools, Public Schools, alternative education, alternative education program
