The Community School, Camden, Maine

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The Community School in Camden, Maine, United States, is the oldest state-approved independent alternative high school in Maine.

[edit] Programs

The Community School offers three programs, all of which are formed around its core philosophy of relational education.

In the Residential Program, eight students live at the school for six months. The students work in the local area, pay room and board, cook dinner, do chores, have individually-tailored academics in the evening, and learn about conflict resolution, harm reduction/substance abuse, respect, sexuality, and diversity. The students meet weekly with their one-to-one, a teacher-counselor who acts as mentor, friend, and sometimes, nag. At the end of the six-month period, the students receive their high school diploma.

If a student hasn't completed her requirements, he or she may be eligible for the school's Outreach Program. In the Outreach Program, a student can finish his requirements and earn his or her diploma. In addition, all students receive a lifetime guarantee of support from Outreach.

The third program is called Passages, for pregnant and parenting teens. Teacher-counselors go to students' homes, where students learn about parenting skills, life skills, and other academics, culminating in a 'Passage', a major project that the student creates and finishes.