Mission Statement
The Alternative Schools Network (ASN) is a not-for-profit organization in Chicago working to provide quality education with a specific emphasis on inner-city children, youth and adults. Since 1973, the ASN has been supporting community based and community-run programs to develop and expand training and other educational services in Chicago?s inner-city neighborhoods. In addition to supporting direct services, ASN has been a consistent and effective advocate for community based services whereby the people involved are active participants in developing and running programs ? not passive recipients of services. To shape policies and programs, the ASN has built an impressive track record of operating successful education, employment and support service programs.
Description
The Alternative Schools Network of Chicago in collaboration with The Department of Children and Family Services has developed a program with 16 community based alternative high schools to provide 178 openings for youth that are out of school and do not have a high school diploma or GED. This directory has been developed for professionals who work with youth in the care of DCFS who reside in foster care, home of relative, independent living or group home who are between the ages of 16-21 and have no diploma.
Participating schools are members of the Alternative Schools Network and specialize in different academic offerings. Each school provides a teacher and mentor who work closely with DCFS students to monitor academic achievement, personal development and supportive services. All schools have a learning center that provide students with intensive computer assisted instruction and access to the Internet. All programs offer the following:
Year-round Academic Program
- Individualized education program
- Small class size
- Computer based assisted instruction
- High speed Internet access
- College preparation
After School Enrichment Program
- Life skills
- After school tutoring
- Employment skills
- Structured social and cultural activities
Full-time School Based Mentor
- Intensive retention and support program
- Coordination with DCFS case worker/service providers
- Graduation and transition services
- Coordinated community based resources
Student Savings and Scholarship Program
- Stipend for after school participation
- Savings/ATM accounts opened for each participant
- Scholarships for post secondary education
