HHS Alternative High School Program Meets Need

Huntington UFSD’s alternative high school program has nearly 80 students enrolled this year as the teenagers seek to assemble to academic credits they need to graduate.

District Director of Guidance & Testing, K-12 Jeannette Alomia provided Huntington School Board members with an overview of the program during a presentation at the trustees’ public meeting earlier this week in the Jack Abrams STEM Magnet School auditorium.

The alternative program runs from October to June. “Classes are offered Mondays through Thursdays from 3-6 p.m.,” Mrs. Alomia said. “Students receive 180 minutes per week of instruction per subject. Students taking science classes receive an additional 180 minutes of instructional time per week to complete the New York State laboratory requirements.”

Transportation is provided to eligible students. There are 69 students enrolled in full year courses and another 10 enrolled in spring semester classes, which will run from January to June.

Full year offerings include Algebra I, English 9R, 10R, 11R and 12R, Earth Science R, Living Environment R, Global History 9R and 10R and United States History. Spring semester courses include Economics and Participation in Government.

Classes are held at the high school and are taught by certified teachers, who deliver their instruction on-site instead of virtually. Students, on the other hand, have the option of attending classes in person or virtually.

“Participation in the program is voluntary and requires an interview and agreement from the students and his/her parent/guardian,” Mrs. Alomia said. “Students are referred to the program by their school counselor after obtaining authorization from the parent/guardian.”

Program objectives include:

• To help students recover credits for missed/failed courses in order to continue on their learning path and graduate.

• To provide an opportunity for students to graduate with their cohort.

• To assist students to be ready for life after graduation.

An assortment of support services are available to students along with testing accommodations for those who qualify.

For more information about the program send a message to Mrs. Alomia at jalomia@hufsd.edu.