MAHS Background & Overview

The Montville Alternative High School Program

Mission: The mission of the alternative program is to ensure individual student success by providing a flexible educational environment to focus on academics while guiding students to become accountable for their behavior.

Purpose: The purpose of the alternative high school program is:

•To prevent students, deemed at-risk, from dropping out of school
•To foster academic achievement in a small, supportive, structured environment
•To equip students with the skills necessary to become a productive, competent adult.

Introduction:

The Montville Board of Education authorized an alternative school in response to the need for a more structured, yet flexible school environment for students who were failing in the mainstream high school program. The alternative high school opened in the fall of 1977 in the lower wing of the Uncasville School.

Presently, the program operates out of the Palmer Memorial School and serves students who are not succeeding academically and/or behaviorally in the traditional high school setting. The program has expanded itself to include a full-time therapist and a community-based transitioning program. With the help of a supported employment agency,
students are given an opportunity to gain valuable career-related experience.

Guiding Principles:

The Alternative Education Center should: •Provide academic and behavioral support to keep at-risk students from dropping out of school •Provide opportunities for students to be actively involved and develop ownership for their school community •Include professionals who are knowledgeable and supportive of an alternative approach •Provide behavioral intervention strategies for students to develop skills necessary for successful relationships •Increase students' appreciation and respect for diversity •Prepare and support young adults in their movement into employment or educational opportunities •Provide an opportunity to earn a diploma or G.E.D. •Provide the support and transition for students to return to Montville High School. •Allow students to participate in extra curricular activities at Montville High School in accordance with Board Policy •Involve parents as integral components of student success • Have the autonomy to create a program based on individuals' needs and strengths.