Alternative Education

"Every student can learn, just not on the same day or in the same way." -George Evans

Non-Traditional Pathways to Success
Alternative Education in Richmond Public Schools provides non-traditional learning opportunities for students experiencing different life circumstances that keep them from finding success in the traditional high school setting. Our alternative education team guides students on a unique pathway to achieving all diploma requirements, while also gaining access to academic and career planning and post-secondary education and employment. Our efforts are intentional and specific, based on individual student needs and an ever-changing educational landscape. The goal of our alternative education programs is to reduce the dropout rate while increasing the graduation rate.

Alternative Pathways and Placements
Pathways are defined as programs that students, in partnership with families and home school staff, choose based on students’ specific needs and goals. Placements are defined as programs that students are assigned to, based on their behavior, school performance, and involvement in the court system. Some programs can fall under both delineations, based on individual student needs. It is important to note that students cannot be placed into programs that are defined as pathways. An alternative pathway must be a student’s choice to enroll.

• Alternative Pathways include:
  THRIVE Academy, Test-Taker Academy, Secondary Success Center, ¡Con Ganas!, ¡Con Ganas!-ISAEP, ISAEP
   

• Alternative Placements include:
  Amelia Street, Aspire, Home-Education Services, Richmond Alternative School, administrative placement, safety placement, regional day placement, private day placement
   

• Homebase Instruction and Homebound Instruction can be considered both an alternative pathway and an alternative placement, depending on the individual student's needs.

Alternative Education Pathways​​​​​​

• Secondary Success Center is an evening program for RPS high school drop-outs who need a flexible learning schedule.
• ¡Con Ganas! is an evening program for over-age, under-credited, multi-language learners who need a flexible learning schedule.
• ¡Con Ganas!-ISAEP is an evening program that prepares multi-language learners to take the GED in Spanish. Preparation lessons are provided in Spanish as well.
• Test-Taker Academy is an evening program for students who have met all graduation requirements, and need intensive remediation for 1-2 SOL tests.
• THRIVE Academy is a full-day program for over-age, under-credited students who require Tier III supports to succeed. (Students have access to CTE classes at RTC.)
• ISAEP (Individual Student Alternative Education Plan) is a full-day program that prepares high school students to take the GED. Students must meet entrance requirements. (Students have access to CTE classes at RTC.)