Program Mission/Goals

The mission of COMPACT is to provide an alternative educational setting which will serve as a safe environment for, and which will employ alternative pedagogical strategies to meet the needs of chronically disaffected high school students in Cape May County High Schools.

Program Goals

a.  To help disenfranchised high school students emotionally, and/or physically to become increasingly active participants in their high school education.

b. To increase school attendance of the COMPACT population.

c. To eliminate incidents of disruptive, anti-social, and self-destructive behavior.

d. To increase the average number of high school credits earned by COMPACT students, toward the goal of earning a high school diploma.

e.  To encourage students in the COMPACT to connect with their families, school, and society-at-large.

Program Strategy
Key Programmatic Factors

a. Specially trained professionals who have outstanding inter-personal skills and academic preparation.  Individuals who work as a team to provide personal and academic services in a flexible, adaptive environment.

b.  Clear expectations and standards equal to, but different from, those of the regular high school.

c.  Low student-teacher ratios.

d.   Small program size.

e.   Individualized instruction in basic skills and other school subjects, using alternative instructional strategies and flexible scheduling.

f.   Counseling that is immediately available to address student problems as they arise and to help students learn and practice more appropriate behaviors.

g.   Development of positive personal relationships between teachers and students.

h.  Use of outside resources (counseling, health, job training, family services) to assist with the problems experienced by students and their families.

i.    Assistance to students seeking part-time jobs, during school days and during summers.

Population

*   Students currently enrolled in, but at risk of dropping out of, one of the Cape May County High Schools.

*   Age 15-21 (probably the older range).

*   Behind their class in credit and class standing.

*   Are chronically absent from school or are chronically late.

*   Exhibit disruptive or disaffected behaviors and attitudes.

*   Are, in most cases non-classified and are of average or above average intelligence.

*   May be or have been involved with juvenile justice system.

*   Have a desire to be in an alternative program setting in order to complete the high

Program Organization

a.  Student/Teacher Ratio:            10/1

b.  Student identification, Assessment and Placement:

1. Identification of student by home school counselor, teacher, administrator.  Possibly a student or his/her parent would suggest nomination.

            2.            Recommendation by home school guidance or administrator.
            3.            Interview by COMPACT Principal.
            4.            Acceptance by COMPACT.
            5.            Communication with home school.

Cooperative and Regional Approach

From it’s inception, the Cape Educational COMPACT has been a cooperative county-wide effort.  Students from all four high schools in the county attend as well as students from Woodbine.  Students receive services from several other county and regional agencies such as:

Atlantic Cape Community College

Cape Educational COMPACT continues to share a very successful relationship with Atlantic Cape Community College.  COMPACT students have attended regularly scheduled A.C.C.C. classes enrolled through the traditional process.  During spring semester 2004, an A.C.C.C. class was scheduled at COMPACT. They have succeeded at a rate comparable to the adult population that A.C.C.C. serves.  The administrative staff at ACCC has been extremely accommodating to meet all the students’special needs.  Books and tuitions for up to two courses per semester are paid by COMPACT.  Students may earn both high school and college credit.

Cape Counseling Services

The cooperative effort between COMPACT and Cape Counseling provides essential services to the students.  Specially selected counselors from Cape Counseling have been contracted to provide confidential services both in individual and group settings. 
Students who have been mandated through the   courts to attend therapy may receive such services during this school day outreach.

County Health Services

Several times during the school year, County Health personnel provide informational sessions/workshops for COMPACT students.  Information is provided through classroom presentation and clinic visits.

Cape Atlantic Alternative Athletic League

A cooperative effort has been forged between alternative setting institutions to provide inter-scholastic basketball competition for male students.  Games are scheduled after school at a site in Cape May Court House.