I. Summary of Important Facts
- Located in every borough, Referral Centers for High School Alternatives (Referral Centers) are available to students who have fallen behind academically in high school (i.e. insufficient credit accumulation) and to students in need of wrap-around supports.
Students can receive information on alternatives to high school and guidance to create an education and career plan.
- Referral Centers will assist students with understanding school options and enrollment procedures.
- Guidance Counselors, Social Workers, and Academic Intervention Specialists are available to assist students and families with academic and non-academic needs.
II. Frequently Asked Questions
Why did we open Referral Centers for High School Alternatives?
The Department of Education recognizes that students who are not experiencing success in their present schools, or who have dropped out or stopped attending school regularly, need guidance and support to continue their education. Sometimes students need access to alternative academic options in order to continue on the path towards graduation. Sometimes students need non-academic support (e.g. childcare, substance abuse, housing referrals) to stay on track to graduation. High-school aged students can and should continue to receive this guidance and support in their current schools but can also learn about their options by calling or walking in to a Referral Center for High School Alternatives (Referral Center).
How do these Referral Centers differ from Borough Enrollment Offices?
Referral Centers provide prospective students with information about which District 79 schools and programs they are eligible to attend, and can offer referrals, guidance, and information to aid their enrollment. This is different from Borough Enrollment Offices that handle registration, school assignment, transfers, and support for admissions processes as well other enrollment functions. For more information on borough enrollment offices and enrollment processes, visit http://text.nycenet.edu/ChoicesEnrollment/NewStudents/BEO+Contact+Information.htm .
Who should go to the Referral Centers for High School Alternatives?
Referral Centers will help any resident of New York City under 21 with referrals to any DOE alternative program for which a student might be qualified. Options include but are not limited to GED Plus programs, Young Adult Borough Centers (YABCs), Learning to Work programs (LTW), and Transfer Schools. (Important Note: Students 22 and older can receive free educational services through OACE -- The Office of Adult and Continuing Education at http://adultednyc.org/ ).
The Referral Centers also provide non-academic support services (and/or can refer students to support services) to students who have experienced attendance problems, had an interruption in their high school studies, need drug treatment services, have become pregnant or a parent, were incarcerated, and/or are new to the U.S. and wishes to attend an alternative program.
What will I find at the Referral Center for High School Alternatives?
The mission of the centers is to help students make a personal education and career plan and to access the best options matched to their needs. Referral Centers are staffed with Guidance Counselors, Social Workers and AIS (Academic Intervention Services) staff. They can assist you with:
- Figuring out how to get back into school
- Evaluating and explaining your high school transcript
- Applying to a transfer school in order to earn a diploma and graduate
- Learning about vocational and career options
- Understanding what you need to get into college
- Figuring out where to get help if you are having problems outside of school
- Understanding how you can stay in school even if you are a parent or are going to be a parent
- Getting childcare and other support if you are a parent or going to be a parent
- Planning to overcome any barrier that prevents you from staying in school
How do I contact the Referral Centers for High School Alternatives?
|
Referral Center |
Contact Information |
Address |
|
Bronx
@ Bronx Regional HS
|
Phone 718-842-9200
Fax 718- 328-1918 |
1010 Reverend James A. Polite Avenue
3 rd Floor
Bronx, NY 10459 |
|
Brooklyn
@ Marcy Avenue Complex
|
Phone 718-636-5770
Fax 718-398-4476
|
832 Marcy Avenue
Room 501A
Brooklyn, NY 11216 |
|
Queens
@ Jamaica Learning Center |
Phone 718-739-2100
Fax 718-523-1251
|
162-02 Hillside Ave
Room 109
Jamaica, NY 11432 |
|
Manhattan
@ Alternative Learning Complex
|
Phone 212-244-1274
Fax 212-244-1793
|
500 Eighth Avenue
(at 35 th St.)
7 th Floor
New York, NY 10018 |
|
Staten Island
@ St. George |
Phone 718-273-3225
Fax- 718-448-3936 |
450 St. Marks Place
Staten Island, NY 10301 |
If you experience difficulty in contacting a Referral Center,
please contact : The District 79 Office of Student Support Services
Phone 917- 521-3639
Fax 917-521-3649
4360 Broadway, 4th Floor
New York, NY 10033