Science Hill Alternative Center
820 West Market Street
Johnson City, TN  37604
928-0380

Julia Decker, Assistant Principal

(after school program)

Science Hill High School Alternative Center

The Alternative Center at 820 W. Market Street houses several programs, most of which operate under the administration of Science Hill High School: the Alternative Learning Program, two special needs self-contained classrooms, an in-school suspension classroom for students from the main campus in grades 10 through 12, Optional High School, and GED. The Center also serves as the headquarters for Communities in Schools.

Alternative Learning Program

While about 200 different students in grades 8 through 12 are served during a school year, the total number of students actively enrolled in the Alternative Learning Program at any one time will vary. The average number of students enrolled at one time was 85 (eighty-five) during the 2004/2005 school year. Students are remanded to the ALP as administrators determine the need for increased supervision and structure. Six teachers provide instruction solely for the ALP; an additional five teachers come from the main campus to teach one course. One full-time teaching assistant conducts an in-school suspension classroom for ALP students. Two full-time teaching assistants alternate periods of support to all ALP teachers.

Self-Contained Special Needs

One special needs instructor and one full-time teaching assistant maintain a self-contained classroom with an average of 15 (fifteen) students. Those students are also instructed by another full-time special needs instructor in a team-teaching program; in addition, that instructor provides one-on-one assistance to an average of four students who attend a partial day and to an average of four homebound students.

School Resource Officer (SRO)

The Johnson City Police Department provides one full-time SRO for the Alternative Center whose primary function is to be proactive in assisting with the safety and security of the school’s students and staff. On-campus crimes are investigated by the SRO. In addition, the SRO coordinates with outside agencies to enhance the students’ welfare. Law related classes are taught upon request. All SROs assigned to Johnson City Schools are full-time, certified police officers with full arrest power. All SROs have been additionally trained by the National Organization of School Resource Officers (NASRO).

Counseling

Johnson City Schools contracts with Frontier Health to provide the Alternative Center with one full-time therapist and one part-time therapist. Their services are available to all students and families. The therapists primarily conduct individual counseling with group therapy provided when a common need is identified. When a new student is remanded to the ALP, the therapist records some basic information about the student’s emotional and social history. Home visits allow families a connection to the school. The therapists coordinate with community services to provide classes such as family life, tobacco prevention and cessation, and anger management.

School Support

In a grant-paid position, one full-time school support advisor provides a range of services and ongoing communication with families. During home-school contract meetings, the advisor assists students and parents in creating a contract for how the student will use positive choices at school to earn privileges at home. The advisor also facilitates conferences using Restorative Justice, a conflict resolution process that addresses appropriate disciplinary issues and conflicts between students, staff, and parents.

Community Outreach Planner

In a grant-paid position, one full-time planner directs a number of part-time employees in a program of enrichment activities available to all Alternative Center students. The planner serves on several community coalitions and coordinates with community partners to provide activities that promote self-esteem, prevention of drug and alcohol abuse, team-building, and self-discipline. These include such programs as the Greenwood Ropes Course, the ETSU climbing wall, and a boxing program through the Johnson City Athletic Club. Also available to students attending the main campus, the Lottery Education After-School Programs (LEAPS) provide credit recovery, tutoring, and recreational activities four afternoons a week. Students participate in woodworking, gardening, cooking, theater, and art. The planner also coordinates groups of tutors and mentors from ETSU and Milligan College.

Optional High School

The Optional High School program is designed for students who are at least 17 years of age and are eligible to graduate by the end of the school year. Students must complete 28 credits, pass the Gateway exams in English, science, and algebra, and show evidence of 40 hours of community service. These students receive a regular Science Hill High School diploma and may participate in graduation ceremonies.

GED

The GED program is designed for students who have a limited number of credits to complete and are within one semester of their eighteenth birthday. Prospective students are given the GED pre test, and consideration for enrollment is based solely on test scores. While enrolled in the program, the student must maintain employment of at least ten hours a week. Students who pass the GED exam may participate in graduation ceremonies and are awarded a GED diploma.

Communities in Schools

Communities in Schools is a non-profit, school dropout prevention program whose full-time director coordinates public and private partnerships to bring community resources into the schools, providing goods and services to at-risk students and their families. Over 140 adults volunteer time to such programs as mentoring, homework clubs, career fairs, teen community service projects, and the Character Counts Program. CIS also supports school health clinics with pediatric residential physicians, dental services, and vision care.

Alternative Learning Advisory Council

Members of the Alternative Learning Advisory Council are business, health and education professionals who support and inform alternative education in the tri-cities area by providing advocacy, resources, networking opportunities, and family engagement activities. Several staff participate in ALAC quarterly meetings and activities held at the Alternative Center.

Community Involvement

Several staff serve on community boards and advisory committees; all staff serve as liaisons with  main campus administrators, teachers, and counselors as well as with community agencies, crisis intervention programs, youth serving agencies, and mental health agencies.