The Outreach Program
Outreach is a connecting point for students and families during and after the term. Graduates who want to check in, need college transcripts, job references, advice, or want to cheer us up with some good news contact the School over 600 times annually. Outreach is also a way for graduates to deepen the process which has started at the Community School and to model their own success for current students.
Outreach includes seven components:
- Current students
- All Residential and Passages students complete an Outreach Plan documenting what they intend to be doing after graduation - from the first few weeks to their long term vision for the future. Pre classes and a final camping weekend introduce Residential students to graduates who discuss their encounters with real life including work, money, parenting, housing, relationships, substance abuse, credit, further education, and travel.
- Parents
- The school runs three programs a term for parents of Residential students: one parent's night on the first night of the term, and two full day Saturday Family Days. These programs include one to one conferences with student/teacher/parents; panels of alumni and parents, presentations by Residential staff and a general overview and orientation to the Residential program. Each term a family from a previous term hosts the two family days. Family mediation and problem solving are offered during and after the term.
- Non-Graduates
- On average a third of Residential Students do not finish their graduation requirements within the term. These students leave with a plan and a list of requirements to fulfill. Outreach helps keep track of requirements, finds resources, and provides encouragement when contacted.
- Graduates
- Outreach services to graduates include referral on further education, jobs, housing, counseling, and a listening ear for celebrations, conundrums and personal crises. Graduates have access to an 800# to call the School. Students who desire a brush up course or additional help while in college can find it through Outreach. Passages graduates are invited to many of the celebrations which Passages holds throughout the year.
- External Students
- Students who left the Residential Program early may be eligible to finish the program as an External Student. If approved by Residential staff early leavers are eligible to complete the program through Outreach. On average students take from one to two years to complete in this manner. Students leaving Passages may follow the prescribed reapplication process to request readmittance to the program.
- Interns
- Interns are mentored by Emanuel (Outreach Director) unless otherwise determined. Please see the internships page for more information.
- Conferences, Celebrations
- In conjunction with former students and parents, Outreach plans conferences and celebrations. Our thirtieth year anniversary reunion will be coming up in the Summer of 2003.
What Do Graduates Do After Leaving the Cschool?
Residential
- 50% begin independent living
- 80% stay in Maine (who originated in Maine)
- 40% continue with education within five years
- 100% work part or full time
- 100% keep in touch within the first three years of graduation
- 25% volunteer at the School
Passages
- 95% stay in Maine (currently all students are from Knox or Waldo counties)
- 90% keep in touch within the first three years of graduation
- 12% continue with education within five years
- 100% work part or full time
- 25% participate in Passages events
Community School Students Have Been Accepted at These Colleges
- Antioch
- University of Maine at: Orono, Farmington, Presque Isle
- Southern Maine
- University of Maine System
- Wheelock
- Mount Ida
- Reed
- Tufts
- Colorado College
- Cornell College
- Goddard
- Southern Vermont College
- Maine Maritime Academy
- Norwich University
- Franklin Pierce
- Pellissipi state
- Maine Technical College
- Savannah School of Art and Design
- Lesley College
- University of New England
- and others...
Established formally in 1988 through a grant from the Watson Foundation, Outreach is currently supported by Maine's Office of Substance Abuse as a prevention program.
