COUNSELING
As an integral part of the September High School program, counseling is designed to help students develop emotional maturity, achieve the ability to resolve life issues, and take responsibility for their actions. Group process classes allow students the opportunity to identify and communicate feelings and issues important to their personal growth and change. Each student can share with peers and a counselor daily challenges and responsibilities and give and/or receive clarification and support. These classes are facilitated by experienced counselors.
Peer Mediation
Students have been trained as peer mediators to help restore community harmony when a violation of the Community Member Contract has occurred or to help resolve conflicts between students. A student in serious violation of the contract (i.e., fighting or substance abuse) may be given the choice to accept the traditional consequences from the school, or may opt to meet with peer mediators. This circle of peers has trained with the school counselor, who serves as an adult mentor during this process. We look for a resolution that everyone can agree to which restores harmony of the situation. Students who thus participate in mediation may then be invited to receive further training and join the peer mediator pool. Then they will, at some point, find themselves in the roles of peer mediators, working with a classmate.
Phoenix Program
At today's September High School, most of our students don't have substance problems. They are here because they like the individualized attention. They are here because they are outside the box thinkers, and find their approach validated in our classrooms. They are here because they find greater academic rigor and success from our hands-on approach and one-on-one teacher contact. They are here because they consider this place a second home. They are here because not only do they want to go to college, as over 80% do within one year, but because they want to be prepared for all of life's challenges, a preparation they receive here, as part of our approach to educating the whole person.
When someone with a history of substance problems is interested in our program, they will be considered only if they are willing to participate in the Phoenix Program. It's been our experience that when a student's substance use is not openly and comprehensively addressed, they struggle in the school environment. The Phoenix Program requires a monitored commitment from students. Like our overall approach at September High School, the specific structure of the Phoenix Program is uniquely catered to fit the needs of the individual student. During the application process, the school counselor performs a comprehensive assessment of the potential participant. Based on our findings and in consultation with the family, a specific structure of support is agreed upon. Depending on individual circumstances, elements of the structure could include: