Navigating Educational Pathways: A Comprehensive Look at NYC DOE District 79

The New York City Department of Education (DOE) is committed to ensuring every student has the opportunity to achieve a high school diploma or its equivalent. Recognizing that traditional educational structures do not serve all learners, the DOE established District 79, an alternative school district designed to provide diverse and innovative educational opportunities. District 79 offers rigorous academic instruction coupled with meaningful youth development, creating pathways for success for students who require additional support or alternative approaches to education. The vision of District 79 is that every student will succeed academically while developing socially and emotionally to become a confident and productive member of society. Its mission is to empower students through rigorous instruction and quality support services, serving as a model for innovative and replicable strategies to engage students.

Empowering Students Through Diverse Programs

District 79's core purpose is to offer high-quality programs that help students stay on track towards earning a high school or General Educational Development (GED) diploma and support their post-certification college and career plans. The district actively advocates for and connects students who have experienced significant obstacles with educational opportunities that lead to a diploma and with post-diploma options. This commitment extends to students in involuntary settings, such as those in correctional facilities or drug treatment centers, where District 79 aims to dramatically improve academic and social-emotional skills, ensuring a smooth transition to educational options upon release. For pregnant and/or parenting students, District 79 ensures they stay on track to graduation and become successful parents through dedicated childcare, support services, and advocacy. Furthermore, the district provides adult students with high-quality educational and vocational/career opportunities. A fundamental aspect of District 79's approach is actively engaging students and families to take ownership of their education and future, building partnerships within and beyond the Department of Education to support student success.

Core Values Guiding District 79's Approach

District 79 operates under a set of core values that underscore its commitment to student achievement and well-being. Excellence is paramount, with the belief that all students can achieve at high levels, and the district holds itself accountable for their success. Communication is valued through honest and direct dialogue, welcoming new ideas openly, and engaging in challenging conversations with students and colleagues. Responsiveness is a key element of this value. The Commitment to Learning ensures the growth and success of students, families, and communities, embracing feedback and change to address weaknesses and grow strengths. Integrity guides operations with truthfulness, honor, and reliability, ensuring that actions align with words. Finally, a Solutions Orientation drives the pursuit of innovative solutions to meet individual student needs, persisting to find resolutions to even the most difficult challenges and holding the district to high standards of excellence. Underlying all these values is Respect, treating each other and students with professionalism and valuing diversity.

Pathways to Graduation and Skill Development

District 79 offers a variety of programs designed to meet the diverse needs of its student population, ensuring that alternative pathways to academic and career success are readily available.

Young Adult Borough Centers (YABCs)

Young Adult Borough Centers (YABCs) are a cornerstone of District 79's offerings. These are afternoon and evening programs meticulously designed to address the educational needs of high school students who are behind in credits or face adult responsibilities that impede daytime school attendance. Students attend YABCs part-time, either in the afternoon or evening, with the primary goal of earning a high school diploma. The mission of the Young Adult Borough Center stems directly from the mission of District 79. YABCs welcome every student from any high school across New York City who can benefit from an evening learning experience, providing the opportunity to recover credits and earn a high school diploma. Each YABC site affirms students’ backgrounds and identities, drawing on the strengths each student brings to the YABC community. These environments are structured to provide each student with personalized learning experiences and the support systems necessary for success in high school and beyond. Upon completion of all necessary courses and exams, students receive their diplomas from their home schools. Students can engage with a YABC in two ways: as a full-time student or as a shared instruction student. To be eligible for consideration as a full-time student in a YABC, students must be 18 years of age by the end of the current school year (June 30). Students who are 17 may enroll as long as they turn 18 by the end of the school year. Alternatively, students can attend a YABC as a shared instruction student, which requires them to attend their day school and then participate in YABC in the evening for accelerated credit accumulation. One student shared their experience, stating, "I’m proud to say I received my diploma because of the Stevenson YABC. It was hard getting up early rushing to school every day and YABC offered a better option for me. More importantly, they helped me get ready for college and work! Because of YABC, I was able to get me my first real job opportunity as an intern. I started my internship working with the Department of Education, assisting with the young children in an elementary school. This opportunity changed my life in so many ways - it was just a step up on my ladder of success. The internship was such a success that the school hired me full time after I received my diploma. That was all the motivation for me. I studied nonstop day and night I took my regents and passed with flying colors. I’ve been working with the department of education for nine years. Deciding to take my future into my own hands and to join Stevenson YABC is one of the greatest decisions that I have ever made."

Pathways to Graduation Program

The Pathways to Graduation program is a full-time, free initiative specifically designed for students aged 17-21. Its primary objectives are to help students earn a High School Equivalency Diploma and to prepare them for success in college and career. This program provides a structured environment for students to focus on their academic goals and future aspirations.

P2G (Program to Graduate)

P2G is another full-time, free program that is an integral part of the New York City Department of Education. It offers a dedicated pathway for students to achieve their high school graduation goals.

LYFE (Living For The Young Family)

The LYFE program is a vital initiative within the NYC Department of Education, providing free early childhood education to children of student parents. LYFE plays a crucial role in enabling student parents to remain on track toward graduating from high school or completing their high school equivalency while simultaneously fulfilling their parenting responsibilities. LYFE centers are equipped to support pregnant and parenting students through Academic Intervention Specialists (AIS). The Living for the Young Family through Education (LYFE) program supports pregnant and parenting students enrolled in a NYC Department of Education school by providing childcare and referral services.

Judith S. Kaye High School

Judith S. Kaye High School is a New York City public transfer high school that operates in a co-located setting with the School of Cooperative Technical Education (Co-Op Tech) in Manhattan and Queens. At Judith S. Kaye, a multitude of innovative services are employed, coupled with a customized level of support for each student. The goal is to enable students to earn a Regents or High School Equivalency Diploma, in addition to obtaining career and technical certificates at Co-op Tech in a variety of cutting-edge trade areas.

Cooperative Technical Education (Co-Op Tech)

For over 30 years, The School of Cooperative Technical Education has been a half-day vocational program offering students hands-on training in a variety of in-demand and cutting-edge trade areas. Co-Op Tech serves approximately 1,500 students who are between 17 and 21 years of age, representing a wide array of ethnic and cultural backgrounds, disabilities, and educational histories. Co-Op Tech offers half-day career and technical training courses for students who are enrolled in academic courses in another Department of Education school or program, including GED Plus and ACCESS.

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Support for Students in Challenging Circumstances

District 79's commitment extends to students facing particularly challenging life circumstances, providing specialized educational services and support systems.

ReStart Academy

ReStart Academy is an alternative education program that offers crucial transitional services for students aged 13 through 21 who are residing in temporary or involuntary settings. ReStart Academy has locations throughout the City and two live-in locations in upstate New York, catering to 13-21 year old students in transitional settings. These settings include alternative eighth-grade programming, substance-abuse day and residential treatment, mental/behavioral health treatment, hospitals, and juvenile justice facilities. The program provides a clear path towards middle school promotion, a high school diploma, or a high school equivalency. The Re-Start Program specifically provides educational services for students in drug treatment programs or other involuntary and/or temporary settings.

Passages Academy

Passages Academy is a New York City Department of Education (DOE) school operated by District 79. It functions in close collaboration with the New York City Administration of Children Services (ACS), Division of Youth and Family Justice (DYFJ), and Office of Youth and Family Development (OYFD). This partnership ensures the provision of exceptional educational services to New York City students who are entrusted to their care and custody. Passages Academy is part of the Correctional Education offerings, specifically serving students in Department of Juvenile Justice sites for those 15 years old and younger.

East River Academy

East River Academy (ERA) provides academic services to students aged 18 and older, with no maximum age requirement, who are detained or serving time on Rikers Island. Classes are delivered by certified teachers within the NYCDOE and are approved by the NYS as an HSE preparation program. East River Academy is also part of the Correctional Education offerings, primarily serving students aged 16-18 on Rikers Island.

Horizon Academy

Horizon Academy, another component of Correctional Education, is located on Rikers Island and primarily serves students aged 19-24.

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Long-Term Suspension Centers

These are credit-bearing programs designed for middle and high school students who have been suspended from their home school for a period of twelve (12) months due to committing a level 5 disciplinary offense. Students enrolled in these programs diligently complete academic work aligned with the curricular requirements for their grade level, thereby earning credits towards their diploma.

Phoenix Academy

Phoenix Academy is a residential substance abuse intervention program specifically for NYC high school students. While some students may be court-referred, Phoenix Academy is a voluntary program for high school students grappling with substance abuse. It is a diploma-granting program that also offers the GED option for eligible students.

Court-Involved Youth Services

District 79 provides comprehensive information and services for Court-Involved Youth. This includes details about programs and services offered by Court Liaisons, East River Academy, Restart Academy, and Passages Academy, all accessible through the dedicated Court Involved Youth page.

Referral Centers: One-Stop Guidance

Referral Centers are strategically located in every borough, serving as one-stop centers where high school-aged students can receive academic guidance and explore alternative pathways to graduation. These centers are invaluable resources for students seeking to understand their educational options and access the necessary support services. Additional information on the programs and services described in this list can be obtained at any Referral Center.

Alternative Academic Options

District 79 offers several alternative academic options to cater to diverse learning needs and goals.

GED Plus and ACCESS GED

GED Plus is a citywide program offering full-time and part-time GED services, along with support for transitioning to college and/or careers, at no cost to New York City residents aged 18-21. Students who are 17 may enroll under extenuating circumstances with parental or guardian permission. ACCESS provides full-time GED preparation with a work internship component called Learning to Work (LTW). LTW is designed to help students stay engaged, or re-engage, in school through work readiness activities. The age requirements for ACCESS are the same as for GED Plus.

Office of Adult and Continuing Education (OACE)

The Office of Adult and Continuing Education (OACE) stands as the largest adult education provider in New York State. It offers a comprehensive range of classes, including Basic Education, English as a Second Language (ESL), High School Equivalency, and Career and Technical Education (CTE) classes, all available to adults aged 21 and older.

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