The program's operating premises are that adults can learn to take responsibility for their own thinking and behavior, and overcome cognitive and affective barriers that block their success in education, training programs, and employment. The program's active learning process leads students from awareness, to understanding, to acceptance, to change through a curriculum that is continually responsive and adaptable to the particular needs of the group. Class size is typically 8 to 12 students and may be either single-sex or coed. A full-time instructional and community service program with the completion of a high school curriculum and employment as the ultimate goal. The program combines academic instruction with community service and provides services not found in traditional adult education programs.
Students divide the day between academic instruction and community service work.
The program uses an individualized instructional approach. Instructors diagnose skill areas and design individual educational plans with career-related goals. Instruction and service interrelate, with new skills and experiences shared between the two components. Curriculum is GED driven. Staff are full-time and programs operate year round at a minimum of 5 days a week.