Educational Approach

Respect, Community, Responsibility, Dignity

Statistics show that students who drop out of high school are more likely to live in poverty and suffer from unemployment, poor health, substance abuse, and/or violence. Young people with troubled histories need an education, accountability, and caring adults to develop respect for themselves and others.

YouthBuild PCS gives young adults an opportunity to establish stable and productive adult lives filled with dignity and respect. Students are encouraged to pursue higher educational goals or to enter the workforce upon graduation. The YouthBuild PCS experience reflects real life, giving students a sense of community, belonging, and responsibility.

 

School Culture

At YouthBuild PCS, individual learning needs are balanced with the needs of a strong united community identity that is safe-learner focused. YouthBuild PCS differs from a traditional high school by offering intentionally small class sizes to ensure more meaningful student participation. Students attend school 5 days a week, 8:30am – 3:30pm, rotating every two weeks between the academic classroom and construction training worksite. Students receive a stipend, while attending YouthBuild PCS, to help with living expenses. Students at YouthBuild PCS create and sign a code of conduct, including penalties for breaking rules. The code of conduct is enforced by a student-elected policy council, which also provides input on school operations. The code of conduct fosters personal responsibility and establishes positive group norms.

YouthBuild PCS utilizes Quantum Learning, a powerful, engaging, evidence-based teaching and learning methodology. Quantum uses research-based teaching methods, cognitive psychology, and learning and life skills to further student achievement and to make content more meaningful and relevant to students’ lives. Quantum Learning is based on three core beliefs: (1) all people can learn; (2) people learn differently; and (3) learning is effective when it is engaging and challenging. Quantum Learning enhances student’s ability to learn, retain, and recall information with strategies that inspire them to take ownership of their education.

As a way to ensure that YouthBuild PCS students stay in school throughout the course of the school year, YouthBuild PCS provides students with a bi-weekly stipend of $8.25 per hour for the time they are on a construction site and $15.00 per day for the time they are in a classroom to assist with the cost of transportation, breakfast, and lunch. Although not a livable monthly wage, the stipend removes some economic pressures for students, and also provides enough financial assistance to keep them solvent for the duration of the school year.

 

8 Keys of Excellence: These 8 keys serve as a basic framework for personal effectiveness and create a positive environment for learning. 

Integrity

Conduct yourself in the state of authenticity, sincerity and wholeness that results when your values and behavior are aligned.

Failure Leads to Success

Understand that failures simply provides us with the information we need to learn so we can succeed.

Speak with good Purpose

Develop the skill of speaking in a positive sense with good intent, being responsible for honest and direct communication.

This is It!

Develop the ability to focus your attention on the present moment.  Each moment, each task, counts.

Commitment

Follow your vision without wavering; stay true to the course.  Do whatever it takes to get the job done.

Ownership

Be accountable and responsible.  Be someone who can be counted upon, someone who responds.

Flexibility

Maintain the ability to change what you are doing to get the outcome you desire.

Balance

Maintain your mind, body, and spirit in alignment.  Balance self, work, and family.

 

Programmatic Model