8:1:1 High School Alternative Education Program

Special classes with this level of staffing are designed for students with severe emotional disabilities who are unable to function within a public school building. Students receive small group and individualized instruction to improve academic and social success leading to a GED or IEP diploma.

8:1:1 Project COPE (Challenging Our Personal Expectations)

Project COPE is a transitional program for secondary students with severe conduct disorders who cannot be accommodated during regular school hours. Running from 3-5:30 p.m., the program focuses on building self-worth and appropriate behaviors, preparing students to rejoin a full-day school setting.

Alternative High School/GED Program

Earning a high school equivalency diploma is more than just a credential, it’s a gateway to new opportunities. At BOCES, our two-year GED program for 16-18 year olds provides a structured, supportive environment for students at risk of dropping out. Through a combination of academic coursework, career/technical education, career counseling, and hands-on work experience, students build the skills they need to succeed in school, work, and life.

Our experienced instructors focus on personalized instruction and skill development, preparing each student to confidently tackle the GED examination. Along the way, students gain valuable insights into potential career paths and learn practical, real-world skills that translate directly to the workplace.

Completing the GED program is more than a milestone—it’s a second chance to thrive, advance, and take the next step toward a successful future.

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Endeavor (Middle School Program)

The Alternative Middle School has been designed to meet the needs of seventh and eighth grade students who are experiencing significant academic difficulties in traditional school settings. These students typically exhibit behaviors including refusal to participate in classroom activities, discipline problems, poor attendance, and academic failure. This is a focused academic program where instruction is designed and delivered to maximize student participation and academic success in an environment that emphasizes the development of student self-discipline. The teacher student ratio will enable staff to interact with students in small groups and individually, utilizing an advisor/advisee model that creates a community of learners. In addition, this setting will provide students with intensive academic intervention prior to entering 9th grade. The goal of this program is to enable students to experience academic success in the classroom and on the Grade 8 NYS assessments and to return to their home schools prepared to successfully complete graduation requirements.

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Endeavor (Regents Diploma-Based Alternative High School Program)

The Diploma-Based Alternative High School Program is designed to meet the needs of students who are having difficulty meeting diploma requirements in a traditional school setting. A major goal of this program is to provide support to students who may need an additional semester or school year or who are in jeopardy of leaving school prematurely prior to the completion of graduation requirements.

Staff will work with students in small groups and on an individual basis to assist them in fulfilling all local and state requirements leading to the awarding of a diploma. Counseling will be provided to assist students in developing a healthy sense of self-worth. Students can elect to combine their alternative program with a half-day technical program at one of the BOCES Technical Centers.

Staff will also provide a supportive atmosphere where students can master academic requirements, develop cooperative attitudes, healthy interpersonal relationships and employability skills.

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