Alternative Education
Marin County Community School
Hours: 8:00 to 3:30
Ages: 12 – 18 years
Population: 3 classes
Up to 25 students per class Students of the Marin County Community School are those who have demonstrated the need for a small, highly supportive and closely supervised educational environment to address their behavior and/or attendance.
The Marin County Community School provides a complete board-approved curriculum to meet each student’s abilities and goals.
Students are eligible for the program if they are on probation, have been expelled from their school district, or have been referred by the school district’s School Attendance Review Board for chronic truancy and/or behavioral problems.
In addition to self-contained classrooms providing individualized academic programs, students also may receive a wide variety of support services including mental health counseling, vocational assessment and education, computer literacy, visual arts classes, and special education services.
Most students transition back to their regular district programs when the truancy/behavioral issues are resolved. Students may earn a high school diploma and graduate from County Community School.
Marin County – Charter School – Phoenix Academy
Hours: 8:00 to 3:30
Ages: 14 – 18 years
Population: 2 classes
Up to 25 students Phoenix Academy provides a safe educational environment where chemically dependent students can develop a drugand alcohol-free lifestyle, make significant academic progress, identify and address emotional issues, and make sound career and vocational decisions in a highly structured and closely supervised setting. Instruction is provided in a variety of forms: completely individualized, small groups, project-based and whole group.
Referrals to Phoenix Academy are made by school districts, the Probation Department, parents and therapists in Marin County. After referral, students and parents are interviewed as part of the intake process. Students whose needs can be addressed by Phoenix Academy are then asked to sign a contract committing to the program.
Luke McCann, Assistant Superintendent, Lisa Schwartz, Director Alternative Education
Oracle Independent Study
Hours: 8:00 to 4:00
Ages: 12 to 18 years
Population: Up to 150 Students
ORACLE Independent Study is an alternative to classroom instruction for students whose educational needs cannot be met through traditional programs.
Students are referred by the Juvenile Probation Department, School Attendance Review Boards or their local school district.
ORACLE provides a complete board approved curriculum, individualized to each student’s abilities and goals.
Students earn high school credits by completing academic assignments and meeting with certificated teaching staff at weekly appointments. They use community resources for special research projects, field trips and volunteer work. Additional support is provided through a Study Hall program and individual math tutoring. A special curriculum is offered for pregnant and parenting teens.
Deborah Hemphill – Program Manager
ORACLE Independent Study
(415) 491-0792
Loma Alta/Juvenile Hall
Hours: 9:00 to 3:00, Ages: 8 to 19 years
Population: Varies
The Loma Alta educational program at Marin County Juvenile Hall serves all youth during their periods of incarceration. Students in the Loma Alta program range in age from 8-19 years and have been incarcerated for delinquent behaviors in the community.
The Loma Alta program allows these students to continue their schooling throughout their period of incarceration.
Students receive individual and group instruction in the basic academic areas.
Additional school services include independent living skills curriculum, English as a Second Language materials and Special Education services as needed.
Eligible students may also study for the General Education Development certificate (GED).
Outcomes for the students in the Loma Alta program are determined by Juvenile Court. They may return to their home school district or they may be placed out of their homes.
Lisa Schwartz – Director
Loma Alta/Juvenile Hall
(415) 499-5804