Creating Futures and New Beginnings

Students arrive at Anchor Learning Academy at a point in their lives where being part of a community built around recovery is necessary in order to participate fully in their academics. As students move forward in their recovery with the supports at Anchor Learning Academy, the hope is that they will be able to successfully transition back to their sending school district, a trade school, college, or the work force.

Students’ plans for life after Anchor Learning Academy begin at admission. Educational and clinical staff will work with students and families to develop transition plans that focus on their goals and supports for continued recovery include on-going access to treatment resources in order to support students in their next stage of recovery. Transition plans may be geared toward successfully returning to a community high school, post-graduation plans or in response to a relapse.

Anchor Learning Academy staff maintains a close relationship with school districts to ease the student’s transition back to their community school and to ensure that students are supported and engaged in recovery services.

For a list of colleges/universities that offer recovery support for their students, visit the Association of Recovery School’s web site: 

http://www.recoveryschools.org/schools_college.html

Families are partners in the recovery process. Beginning at admission, families play a critical role in the student’s educational, clinical and transitional planning. Families participate in the admissions interview and orientation activities.

Each student’s recovery plan is shared with the family. Regular communications and meetings continue the family’s engagement.

Curriculum at Anchor Learning Academy

Anchor Learning Academy's curriculum is based on the RI Curriculum Framework, Common Core State Standards and Proficiency-base Graduation Requirements. The Common Core State Standards provides a consistent, clear understanding of what students are expected to learn, so teachers and parents know what they need to do to help them. The standards are designed to be robust and relevant to the real world, reflecting the knowledge and skills that students need for success in high school, in college courses and in workforce training programs. The goals of Anchor Learning Academy’s student-centered curriculum emphasizes 21st century learning skills—the tools students need to become informed decision makers and contributing members of the local community and the global society:

• Life-long recovery
• Empirical reasoning
• Communication
• Collaboration
• Cultural awareness
• Creativity

Students are assigned to courses based on the graduation requirements of their home school district and their academic skill level as indicated by assessment test scores. Experiential learning, service learning, community service and group work are key components to academics at Anchor Learning Academy. Certified Rhode Island secondary school educators provide classroom instruction in the areas of:

• English Language Arts
• Science
• History
• Math
• Physical Education
• Electives

Fulfilling Credit Requirements

Anchor Learning Academy works with the student’s local school district to ensure completion of the Carnegie unit requirements as well as local Proficiency-based Graduation Requirement strategies for assessing applied learning. Opportunities for credit retrieval are also available.

Graduating from Anchor Learning Academy

Graduates of Anchor Learning Academy receive a diploma from the community school district upon meeting academic graduation requirements. Anchor Learning Academy staff works with each student and their district to coordinate the requirements for graduation.

Interest Exploration

At Anchor Learning Academy, students discover their passions. The curriculum provides opportunities to explore student interests through individual and group creative exercises and the WaytoGoRI program. When students identify areas of interest, Anchor Learning Academy offers guidance in areas of professionalism, effort and engagement, organization and documentation, self-assessment and career awareness, and workplace knowledge and skill development.

Real World Learning

Anchor Learning Academy provides many opportunities for real world learning such as partnerships with organizations for internships, experiential learning, community service and service learning.  Real World Learning encourages students to gain knowledge and skills in the context of authentic work and to develop mentoring relationships with professionals in the community. Guided by a mentor and advisor, students write a project proposal detailing the purpose and scope, areas of research, timeline, and means of evaluation.

Students are assigned to courses based on the graduation requirements of their home school district and their academic skill level as indicated by assessment test scores. Experiential learning, service learning, community service and group work are key components to the curriculum of the Anchor Learning Academy. Certified Rhode Island secondary school educators provide classroom instruction in the areas of:

• English Language Arts
• Science
• History
• Math
• Physical Education
• Electives

Graduates of Anchor Learning Academy receive a diploma from the community school district upon meeting academic graduation requirements.

Anchor Learning Academy’s small size creates the ideal environment for individualized learning where students can address the social-emotional factors that contribute to their substance use while focusing on academics. With students in the driver’s seats of their learning and recovery plans, Anchor Learning Academy fosters leadership qualities among students.

Blended virtual learning combines face-to-face instruction with e-learning methods, allowing students to learn at their own paces and access clinical services as necessary without disrupting academic progress.

In addition to formal course work, with the guidance of staff and parent(s), each student charts quarterly planned learning activities to identify their strengths and to address their weaknesses as they work towards post-Anchor Learning Academy goals. Students meet with the Education Coordinator on a regular basis to monitor progress towards graduation and post-graduation goals and serves as the point-person for communication with each student’s home school.

The Recovery Counselor is also available to assist with other educational, emotional and social issues that students are experiencing and to provide referrals when appropriate.

Following an assessment, all students at Anchor Learning Academy have personal literacy plans that outline individualized interventions and strategies for achieving academic goals. The personal literacy plan is also differentiated for students reading at or above grade level in order to maintain a culture of challenge.

Career Search

Anchor Learning Academy helps students realize their dreams. Our staff works with students to develop goals for post-secondary education, training, and/or employment. Through individual and group activities students will:

• Identify areas of interest
• Develop a resume
• Hone job interviewing skills
• Learn appropriate work etiquette

College Applications

Students have the opportunity to visit local colleges, universities, and trade schools. They receive assistance and support throughout the college admissions process including:

• SAT preparation and registration
• Scholarship applications
• Financial aid
• College essays
• Understanding the college enrollment process