If the allowed number of absences is exceeded, students are dismissed from the program. Students are allowed to bankroll the absences from quarter to quarter. CDA stresses the three Rs of respect, responsibility, and resiliency. The staff models the behavior they expect from students. For instance, the school does not use substitute teachers.
Students see that a teacher's absence creates extra work for the others.
Both students and staff go by first names. Students and the staff, including the custodian and the food service workers, all have votes in how the school is run. Students who have been with the program for two years are represented on the hiring committee along with staff. The director does not vote on hiring, wanting the staff and students to be as invested as possible in the new person's success. Most CDA students feel they did not get enough attention at their previous school.