Frequently Asked Questions About Adirondack Academy
Q What is alternative education?
A: Adirondack Academy’s alternative education is a program designed to help students who have encountered obstacles in the regular school setting. Alternative education emphasizes small class sizes and close relationships with teachers, staff and administrators in order to build a sense of community.
Q: Besides small class size and community building, how is Adirondack Academy different from the traditional school setting?
A: ADK’s staff of counseling professionals, teachers, and administrators work closely with the families and outside agencies associated with our students in order to determine the underlying causes of our students’ struggles. Once these causes are identified, the team utilizes behavior plans, counseling sessions, and/or additional outside services to help set our students on the path toward graduation.
Q: How will I know if my child is showing improvement at ADK?
A: The counselors and teachers at ADK work together to identify areas in which students struggle. Academic, behavioral, and/or attendance plans are discussed and implemented with students and parents in order to coordinate efforts.
Q: Once my child is sent to ADK, does he have to remain there for the remainder of his time in public education?
A: The goal of ADK is to ready students for return to their home district. However, many students realize that they appreciate the community atmosphere at ADK and choose to stay through graduation.
Q: What kind of students attend ADK?
A: ADK is much like a traditional school in that students come in all shapes and sizes. Students come from cities and rural areas. Some have had discipline issues and others have never been in trouble at any point. Some have struggled with the traditional environment due to academic concerns while others excel academically but struggle due to the anxiety of being in a large school.
The one thing they all have in common is that they are children who need an educational setting that is a bit different in order to graduate and be productive citizens.
Q: What kind of diploma does my child earn at ADK?
A: ADK students earn the same diploma as any student in New York State. They must earn a minimum of 22 credits and pass five regents exams in order to graduate.
Q: Can my child participate in sports or other extracurricular activities while attending ADK?
A: Yes. ADK students are allowed to participate in sports and extracurricular activities at their home schools as long as they meet grade and behavior requirements in line with the home school requirements.
Q: How is student behavior monitored at ADK?
A: We utilize an intensive PBIS (Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports) system at ADK. The system tracks behavior, academic and social data in order to help students develop skills to make them successful. With the system, students can earn daily rewards (free time) and weekly or quarterly awards such as gift cards, basketballs, beauty supplies or even an AppleTV unit. We attempt to accentuate the positive behaviors and help students to realize that it pays to act in a positive way.
