This paper is a case study of The Exploration Alternative High School which is located in a small western North Carolina town. The school serves 15-20 at risk high school students who are experiencing academic or other difficulties in their regular high school. These students have experienced issues such as abandonment, neglect, drug abuse, violent acting out, absenteeism, or learning disabilities.
Students voluntarily participate in the program and they have to apply for admission.
This paper explores the match between at risk issues and the services provided by this alternative learning program. The Exploration Alternative High School focuses upon creating a community spirit among the students that facilitates the growth of social skills and academic success. The students that attend Exploration are in grades 9-12 at the local high school. The highly individualized environment makes the students responsible for obtaining credit for the courses they need to graduate and then provides them with the support they need to succeed. The classrooms are unconventional in that they are set up so that a variety of simultaneous activities are possible.