Alternative Education
Principal Notes
ROBERTA TACKETT

I am proud to be part of a school district that serves all of its students, no matter what their individual needs may be.

Yosemite Joint Union High School District has an outstanding alternative education program that offers a full high school curriculum, grades 9-12. This program is staffed by a dedicated group of teachers whose experience and expertise make them exceptionally qualified to work with this diverse student population.

It is my privilege to be the principal of four of the district’s alternative schools: Ahwahnee, Evergreen, Foothill and Raymond Granite high schools

These schools provide a unique educational venue that allows students to work independently at their own pace.

All alternative education students meet the same academic requirements as every other student in the district. There is also a wide selection of elective courses available and unique courses can be designed for students’ individual interests.

The flexibility of the alternative education programs allows students to work as well as pursue their individual academic interests.

The independent study program offered through Evergreen High School allows students to work at home at their own pace. They come to the school one day a week to meet with their teacher for an hour or more to turn in their assignments, for evaluation and to receive new assignments for the following week.

Students who wish to pursue college preparatory level courses can be enrolled at any of the alternative schools and also take courses at the local community college.

Ahwahnee High is our continuation school. Students attend classes 4-1/2 hours a day five days a week and complete some their assignments at home.

Foothill High School, located in Yosemite Lakes Park, and Raymond Granite High School, located in the community of Raymond, both offer day and independent study programs that allow students to work at their own pace.

Students with special talents can focus on their artistic training while completing their high school education because of the flexibility the programs allow. We have had a couple of professional musicians and some outstanding artists attend our alternative schools.

Another special program offered through Evergreen High School is the teenage parent program. One day a week, teenagers who are pregnant or who are parents can attend classes, along with their babies. Community volunteers provide babysitting service for the children. In addition to their high school classes, these young women learn about fetal development, nutrition, labor and delivery skills and they focus on parenting skills and child development.

We offer computer classes taught by a consultant and our students go on field trips and attend workshops. They attend the opera twice a year, go to the coast for science classes and some participate on a Mock Trial team.

The one-on-one personal contact the students have with their teachers is not available anywhere else. The teachers become the students’ mentors and take a personal interest in their lives and their problems.
Besides providing flexibility to meet unique situations for students, the alternative education program provides the opportunity for students to repair an academic career that has suffered in the past.

School News Home