Founded in the mid 1980s, Black Canyon serves 75 students in grades nine through 12 in a day program and 25 in an evening program. Students at Black Canyon may be behind in school, have behavioral problems, have learning disabilities, or have been previously home schooled. Only a small percent live with both biological parents. Most students do not want to return to the mainstream high school where they feel anonymous or unaccepted. Students study one subject at a time for 70 class hours.
Teachers act primarily as tutors.
Students are given materials and work at their own pace. Students have more open book tests and more chances to redo work than at the regular school. They sign in and out of school, but scheduling is somewhat flexible. For example, a student living independently and holding a job might come to school for half a day on a predetermined schedule. Students with less than 90 percent attendance during the time they are supposed to be at school lose credits.