HYS Academy: Alternative Education

HYS Academy, Harborcreek Youth Services’ Alternative Education Program, is a short-term intervention for children whose behavioral, personal, academic or social issues interfere with their success in school. Here at HYS Academy, we design and implement a highly-structured, rigorous and individualized academic program for each student. We use direct instruction, small group instruction, digital learning and active participation. Our goal is to enable each student to develop academically, socially and behaviorally, and to provide opportunities for sustainable academic success. When a student makes sufficient progress, we develop a plan to promote his or her successful return to a traditional classroom.

In addition to academic achievement, we encourage developmentally appropriate problem-solving and relationship-building skills that are applicable not only at school, but at home and in the community.

We stress collaboration between the child’s family and our program staff. Home visits, frequent phone calls and daily written reports foster an open pathway of communication focused on the student’s needs. Families are informed of all aspects of their children’s classroom performance and help to determine when a transition to a less restrictive classroom is appropriate.

Coordinated Counseling

HYS Academy offers a wide array of resources and services designed to assess children’s needs and to promote holistic development. This comprehensive program aims to achieve the following outcomes:

• Modifying students’ behaviors
• Preparing students for employment
• Strengthening pro-social skills
• Identifying and removing barriers to learning
• Facilitating meaningful relationships
• Encouraging participation in behavioral health treatment and services (when needed).

Eligibility Requirements

To be admitted to HYS Academy, students must exhaust less restrictive interventions and all traditional avenues for increasing their success in the traditional school environment. Typical placement behaviors include

• Disregard for school authority, including persistent violation of school rules
• Display or use of controlled substances on school property or during school-related activities
• Violent or threatening behavior on school property or during school-related activities
• Possessing a weapon or committing a crime on school property
• Misconduct that merits suspension or expulsion
• Habitual truancy.

What Parents Say

“This program has helped my grandson become attentive at school and at home. He cares more. His self-esteem is a lot better. He has an excellent attitude towards attending HYS Academy and he never liked school before. I would recommend this program to parents, grandparents and everyone I talk to.”

“The program at HYS Academy was very successful compared to what my child has experienced in other programs. The program at HYS Academy even has offered to help with counseling at home. There was never this kind of help until HYS got involved. The contact has been awesome.”

“My son looks forward to going to school each day. A couple of times he was not feeling well and still wanted to go to school. He would not miss going to school and still attended. I would absolutely recommend this program to anyone. There is honestly nothing I would change about this program.”