Other Ways to Graduate

Choices and Information for Prospective Students and Families

 

 
If you are 21 or under and have fallen behind on credits or have dropped out of high school, you have options.  The Department of Education offers many options to help eligible students prepare for college and career success, including day-time and evening programs located throughout the city that help students get back on track towards graduation.

These schools and programs provide classes towards a high school diploma or GED, help explore college and career opportunities, and provide extra support with school work or issues that prevent regular school attendance. Personalized support helps students get back on track to graduation and become postsecondary ready.  Learn more about available options below.

______________________________________________________________

Now available online, the 2011-2012 Additional Ways to Graduate: High School Diploma & GED Programs Directory is designed to help students and their families learn and make informed choices about New York City’s additional school and program options. Students who are 15-21 years old and have fallen behind on credits towards graduation can still earn a high school diploma or GED. 

Translations of the Additional Ways to Graduate Directory are available.
Overview of School and Program Options:
Young Adult Borough Centers (YABCs),
Transfer Schools, and GED Programs

Young Adult Borough Centers (YABCs) are evening academic programs designed specifically to meet the needs of high school students who have been in high school for four years and might be considering dropping out because they are behind in credits or because they have adult responsibilities that make attending school in the daytime difficult. To attend a YABC, students must be least 17.5 years old, have been in high school for four or more years, and have 17 or more academic credits. At the YABC, students work to earn the required credits and pass all required exams. Students graduate with a diploma from their home school. Many YABCs include an engagement and support component called Learning to Work.

Transfer Schools are small, academically rigorous high schools designed to re-engage students who have dropped out of high school or have fallen behind. These schools are designed to create a personalized learning environment and to provide students with connections to college. Each Transfer School determines criteria for admission individually. Students graduate with a high school diploma from the Transfer High School they attend. To set up an interview for admission or learn more about a Transfer School, students must work with a guidance counselor at their school. Many Transfer Schools include an engagement and support component called Learning to Work.

Full-day and part-time GED preparation programs prepare students to pass the General Educational Development (GED) Exam. A variety of different programs in the District of Alternative Schools and Programs (District 79) are available for students who wish to prepare to take the exam for a high school equivalency diploma. Students earn a high school equivalency diploma if they earn a passing score on the GED exam. Students must be at least 18 years old to enroll in a GED program. Many GED programs include an engagement and support component called Learning to Work.


Overview of Learning to Work

Many of the schools and programs described above are supported by the Learning to Work program. Learning to Work (LTW) assists students in overcoming some of the obstacles that impede their progress toward a high school diploma and lead them toward rewarding employment and educational experiences after graduation. LTW offers in-depth job readiness and career exploration activities designed to enhance the academic component of select Young Adult Borough Centers (YABCs), Transfer Schools, and GED programs. Select schools and programs with LTW also include an internship component. 
Overview of Referral Centers for High School Alternatives

Referral Centers for High School Alternatives are one-stop guidance centers, located in every borough, where high school aged students can be connected to academic options and wrap-around supports. If you experience difficulty in contacting a Referral Center, please contact the District 79 Office of Student Support Services at 917-521-3639.

If you are over 21 and interested in continuing your education, visit the Office of Adult and Continuing Education's website for more information


Please contact the Office of Postsecondary Readiness with questions.