The Alternative School Suspension Program serves as a resource for middle and high school girls who are required to stay home from school due to suspension or temporary expulsion in Prince George’s County. The year-long program caters to students in grades 7th through 10th by providing a safe, supervised learning experience through mentoring, academic assistance and one-on-one interactions.

Whether suspended for a day, week or month, students will receive a positive experience that allows them to stay on track with their work so they can quickly re-engage once back in school. The program is available throughout the school year from Monday through Friday during the hours of 8am until 5pm at our Capitol Heights office. Students are required to bring breakfast, lunch and any homework or schoolwork that must be completed prior to returning to school.

Throughout the day students participate in multiple classes led by qualified facilitators to help enhance their educational, personal and social skills. This is accomplished through academic workshops, homework assistance, tutoring and one-on-one mentoring to improve any behavioral or personal struggles.

The Alternative School Suspension Program was designed to serve a fast-growing part of our community: middle and high school girls living in Prince George’s County. The program addresses high-priority community concerns to prepare mentees for a smooth and successful transition into adulthood. Participants will receive the following from our program:

Academic Support

Students will participate in workshops and activities that are designed to improve grades on upcoming school assignments and test. Facilitators will help students learn effective, efficient ways to study their school materials, develop time management strategies that work for each individual, and manage their stress so that it does not negatively impact their performance in school.

Homework Assistance

Homework is a very important resource for students. By the students having homework to take home, it will reinforce what they learned in school that day. Facilitators will help students understand and successfully complete given homework assignments.

One-on-one Mentoring

It’s important that the student not only receives guidance with their academics, but with other vital components of their lives as well. Facilitators work with students to address any behavioral, personal or social needs affecting their day to day lives. The mentoring sessions also addresses the reason for the student’s participation in the program, including: the actions that resulted in the suspension, issues that caused the suspension and ways to help students make better choices when faced with similar situations.

Tutoring

Tutors can play a vital role in a learner’s education. The tutor can provide assistance for one subject or all areas depending on what a pupil needs. Students will receive the tools and resources needed to feel confidents in completing assessments and classroom work.

Nurturing Environment

Providing a nurturing environment for a student will allow them to feel comfortable, which can help the student open up more about the problems they maybe encountering at home and school. Students spend the day in a safe and productive environment which will allow them to focus on and accomplish their academic goals.

To apply to our Alternative School Suspension Program, please click here.

The Alternative School Suspension Program not only provides these learning skills to mentees, but the program also ensures each girl benefits from the many social, community, and extracurricular activities we introduce.

Through workshops, open forums, projects and community service activities, we aim to empower teenage girls to build self-esteem, develop their strengths and leadership abilities, live up to their highest potential and motivate each other to become more influential voices in their community. Our program has three beneficiaries:

Parents

When students are suspended from school, parents often struggle with ways to make sure their daughters remain productive in a safe setting. The Alternative School Suspension Program offers a safe and trusted environment with facilitators who are dedicated to helping participants progress. Through the program parents can feel comfortable knowing their daughter is receiving the proper supervision and guidance that will enhance their child’s academic and social skills.

Schools

One of the most important responsibilities of an educator is to ensure their students are fully equipped with the knowledge and skills to succeed academically and continue progressing each school year. While suspension serves as a necessary punishment for students facing behavioral or academic issues, it can also hinder a student from remaining on track with their studies and academic goals. Through the Alternative School Suspension Program schools will be confident in knowing that students will receive the proper attention and mentoring that will allow them to quickly re-engage once back in the classroom.

Students

Many times students face difficulties in school that cause disruptions in reaching their academic and social goals. While on suspension, students may lose track of the course lessons which can cause their grades and attention to decline when returning to school. The Alternative School Suspension program allows them to remain on track with school work and receive one-on-one interaction with advisors who will help them avoid future suspensions.

With the help of the program, students will feel empowered to return to school with a positive mind frame, parents will feel comfortable knowing their child is receiving the right amount of supervision and coaching and school officials can be confident that the student will remain on track with work and return to class ready to fully engage. The overall goal of the program is for students to decrease the chances of future suspensions and to use their time out of school to foster self-development, social skills and self-respect as well as respect for others.

To apply to our Alternative School Program, please click here.