Description
AVAIL is an alternative high school program within the Anchorage School District devoted to teens who have dropped out of more traditional schools. AVAIL is an acronym which stands for Anchorage Vocational Academic Institute of Learning. It’s purpose is well-matched with the definition of the word "avail," which is "to be of use or help." A unique program, AVAIL is designed to help students return to the educational system and obtain skills for employment, with an emphasis on students earning a high school diploma.
Students develop individual learning programs through the use of unit based credits, allowing for greater flexibility in their education. Attendance commitments are expected to be met as part of the student's commitment to AVAIL.
If you ask students in the AVAIL Program about the experience they are having, you hear them talk of a "another chance" at earning a high school diploma. For one reason or another, the neighborhood school did not work out for these students; they didn't attend regularly. After being out of school for a time, they realized that high school graduation is important after all. So they applied to AVAIL, made a commitment, and now come daily to a downtown "storefront school" to get their education.
Many AVAIL students are overcoming bad breaks, making up for lost time, and recovering from poor decisions in their past. Some are doing so without parental support. AVAIL provides another chance. Participating students are in the program because they want to experience success; they want to earn the credits which will allow them to graduate from the Anchorage School District. They work hard in a collaborative atmosphere.
