Cape Educational COMPACT program was established to serve disaffected students ages 13-21.
These students, in most cases, are non-classified and of average to above average intelligence, who have not been successful in their own high schools but are motivated to earn their high school diploma.
The program mission is to provide an alternative educational setting that will serve as a safe environment to meet the needs of chronically disaffected high school students in Cape May County. Located at 204 Moore Road in Cape May Court House, the building consists of seven classrooms, two offices, and a conference room. Physical Education space/facilities are utilized cooperatively at the CMCSSSD, Middle Township’s Goshen Complex, the Seaville Methodist Church and the Muscle World Gym.
The program strategy is to have a low student-teacher ratio, a small program size, individualized instruction, alternative instructional strategies and flexible scheduling. Clear expectations exist and are equal to, but different from, those of a regular high school. Immediate counseling is available to address student problems and development of positive personal relationships between teachers and students is a high priority. The program goals include helping disenfranchised high school students emotionally and/or physically to become increasingly active participants in their education, to increase school attendance, to reduce incidents of disruptive, anti-social and self-destructive behavior, to increase the number of high school credits earned and to encourage students to “buy back into” their families, school and society at large.
Curriculum includes all courses required by the state of New Jersey for graduation. An inter-disciplinary team-teaching approach is used and cooperative learning strategies are in place. Students receive credit for volunteer activities and externships and proficiency-based learning packets are used for independent study. COMPACT has a well-established relationship with Atlantic Cape Community College. Appropriate COMPACT students are tested by the College and are enrolled in regular ACCC courses. COMPACT has paid the cost of tuition and books for up to two classes per semester. The success rate for COMPACT students attending ACCC has met or exceeded the norm for ACCC students. Students work a designated number of hours per academic year in community projects. Students volunteer at the following agencies: the Atlantic County Women’s Center, the Community Food Bank of New Jersey, Gilda’s Club, and Crest Haven Nursing Home.
From its inception, the Cape Education COMPACT has been a cooperative countywide effort. Students from all four Cape May County high schools attend. Students receive services from several other county and regional agencies such as Cape Counseling Services, Coalition against Rape and Abuse (C.A.R.A.), County Health Department, Atlantic Cape Community College and the Cape May County Special Services School District. A wide variety of educational, social service and government agencies are represented on the COMPACT Planning and Management Committee.
