ALP—The Alternate Learning Program

COMMUNITY INFORMATION

Creating a sense of community is foundational to the ALP mission. We believe that a respectful relationship between staff and students allows for better teaching and learning. We also believe that learning should continue outside the classroom. To promote this, we perform several community service events throughout the school year, raise funds for group activities and field trips, and meet regularly as a community to promote a positive atmosphere. All of these elements foster a sense of awareness and participation in the school, the town, and the larger community around us.

The most visible element of our community-building effort is the Community Meeting, which happens opposite our PE class on A, E, and G days during period 3. Activities range from fund-raiser planning to health and wellness instruction. Occasional guest speakers address the community on topics of interest.

Throughout the year, we leave school as a group to help community agencies in Darien. We have worked for many years with Person-to-Person; so far this year, we have helped them stock and open their new food pantry, wrap thousands of Christmas presents, and prepare for their holiday distributions. We also work with the Kiwanis club, unloading and sorting the truckloads of fruit they bring in for their fundraising Citrus Drive every year. We have also worked with the Lower Fairfield County Food Bank, the Norwalk Family Crisis Center, Stamford’s Liberation Programs, and Darien’s Center for Hope.

The final element of our community development plan is a series of community-building field trips. Similar to corporate team-building exercises, we bring our students to programs that offer “experiential learning” activities—dynamic games and exercises, high- and low-rope obstacles, and problem-solving challenges. These activities are a research-proven way to foster community participation, create positive relationships, encourage individual and group thinking, and inspire students to grow.

ALP BROCHURE ALP APPLICATION ALP CONTRACT