More than just a number...
Student to teacher ratio; it's what every superintendent, principal, and politician is talking about. The lower the ratio the more likely that the education will be one of quality. Last year we had 41 students and 35 teachers - that's 1.17 students to every teacher. When we say one-on-one support, we really mean it.
A prerequisite of our goal to educate the whole human being is to truly understand the student as a human being - to know a student's potential and challenges, fears and dreams. At Youth Initiative High School our relationships are human relationships.
Students quickly become part of an extended family and their teachers come to know them on a personal basis. It is within this relationship, one of mentorship, trust, and respect, that learning can truly begin. At Youth Initiative High School we have built unique and successful strategies to ensure each student has the opportunity to reach his or her full potential.
A prerequisite of our goal to educate the whole human being is to truly understand the student as a human being - to know a student's potential and challenges, fears and dreams. At Youth Initiative High School our relationships are human relationships.
Students quickly become part of an extended family and their teachers come to know them on a personal basis. It is within this relationship, one of mentorship, trust, and respect, that learning can truly begin. At Youth Initiative High School we have built unique and successful strategies to ensure each student has the opportunity to reach his or her full potential.
The Care Group
One of the most unique elements of the education at YIHS is the Care Group. The Care Group is an individualized student support group comprised of the student, the student’s parents, and a peer and adult mentor selected by the student. The Care Group process is meant to support and encourage the students at YIHS to make the most of their education.
This body is comprised of:
The Care Group supports the student through his or her entire high school career, keeping abreast of the student's scholastic activities and meeting to discuss important issues when necessary. Care Groups meet to welcome the incoming student, to plan the student's senior year, to plan foreign exchange opportunities, to intervene if a student is having academic or behavioral problems, to construct an alternative course of study, to support a student during a major life change or event, or for any other reason deemed to be in the interest of the student. Indeed, along with trust and individualized attention, flexibility is the Care Group's asset. The Care Group is empowered to make decisions, open doors, and create consequences based solely on the best interests of a particular student. At Youth Initiative every student doesn't get the same education, every student gets the education they need. |
The Houses
Every YIHS student is a member of a House. Houses at YIHS are groups of 15 or so students from across each grade, led by a core faculty member, the House Leader. Houses meet monthly and as needed to discuss school issues and help shape school policy. In addition, House Leaders act as the Faculty support contact for each student member of their House, leading the student's Care Group, advising the student on independent studies, and acting as sounding board for students who have concerns inside or outside the school.
It's just one more way we make sure no one slips through the cracks. |
Personalized Academic Counseling
Youth Initiative High School’s academic counseling program begins before a student’s first day of high school and lasts until that student’s first day of college. Our academic counseling program isn’t just a series of meetings to make sure a student is on track; it is integrated into the very fabric of education at Youth Initiative High School.
Beginning in grade 9 students learn about the unique governance and fund-raising structure of the school and hone basic academic skills such as essay writing, note-taking, time management, etc. Teachers and House Leaders pay close attention to the concerns and questions that come naturally from being a new student in a very busy school.
In the 11th and 12th grade students work with faculty on an individual basis to make sense of the college application process. Time is set aside to focus on the application essay, financial aid and scholarship applications, and selecting a school that is right for the student.
Academic counseling at YIHS not only aims to land students at the college of their choice but to ensure that students have the academic and social maturity to succeed beyond high school.
Beginning in grade 9 students learn about the unique governance and fund-raising structure of the school and hone basic academic skills such as essay writing, note-taking, time management, etc. Teachers and House Leaders pay close attention to the concerns and questions that come naturally from being a new student in a very busy school.
In the 11th and 12th grade students work with faculty on an individual basis to make sense of the college application process. Time is set aside to focus on the application essay, financial aid and scholarship applications, and selecting a school that is right for the student.
Academic counseling at YIHS not only aims to land students at the college of their choice but to ensure that students have the academic and social maturity to succeed beyond high school.