About Continuation Schools

Continuation schools are for any student who has needs or obligations that make attending and graduating from high school difficult. Continuation schools offer personalized learning plans, counseling and flexible scheduling, allowing students to earn their credits for graduation at a pace that best fits their personal needs.

Work-study plans are also offered to students who attend a continuation school. When you participate in the work-study program offered by the continuation school, you have a choice of attending a half day of school or evening classes. The main benefit of attending a continuation school is that you can graduate high school even if you are behind in your studies or have other obligations that restrict your school attendance. The teachers will work with you to help you earn enough credits to graduate on time.

The low teacher-to-student ratio allows you to work with your teacher closely. You can learn practical vocational skills while attending continuation schools, allowing you to enter a career field as soon as you graduate. You can also use your work experience as additional credits toward your high school diploma.Continuation schools for pregnant minors include education on prenatal care, parenting skills and nutrition. The additional counseling and support that these teens receive allows them to earn credits for graduation while also providing a practical education that is useful during and after pregnancy.

There are far fewer students enrolled in continuation schools each year than in traditional high schools. Currently, less than 10 percent of students enter into a continuation school. This is the equivalent of about 150 students per school, allowing you to have personal interactions with the teachers and staff on a regular basis. Since continuation schools offer services only for students in grades 10 through 12, the time frame for graduation is 2 years or less. If you have already begun tenth grade, and have some credits, then you will spend significantly less time in school. Continuation schools will help you earn credits faster than traditional schools if you are an advanced student or if you need to participate in a work-study program.

The most common misconception about continuation schools is that they are only for troubled teens. While this is partly true, most of the teens who attend continuation schools do so to graduate while receiving vocational training or because they need flexible scheduling.
Continuation schools are also used as a resource by teens who are gifted. These gifted teens can move through their studies at a much quicker pace, which helps them reduce boredom associated with traditional classes that are too slow for them.