What is Compass Academy?
Compass Academy is a hybrid alternative education model that combines Broome-Tioga BOCES' alternative education programming with clinical and credentialed peer recovery support for high-school-aged students experiencing academic and/or behavioral issues related to substance use. It’s a Renaissance School – a pathway to personal growth and change. Timely graduation and life-skills development are key goals.
Who is a typical student?
Adolescent substance use has been shown to negatively impact a student’s potential for academic and career success, thus adding future cost burdens to the medical, social service and legal systems. The typical Compass Academy student is enrolled in a school district in the Broome-Tioga BOCES region, moving toward a regent’s diploma with the potential to meet NYS graduation requirements. The student has also been identified as an active substance user to the degree that addiction is present or an identified risk and negatively impacting their lives.
How does it work?
School personnel can identify students who might potentially benefit from the Compass Academy and refer them through the school district’s existing BOCES alternative education referral process. Clinical staff from the Addiction Center of Broome County (ACBC) will conduct a full clinical assessment as part of the eligibility determination. Once enrolled, students participate in an extended school day designed to help them meet their core educational requirements for graduation while simultaneously engaging in treatment and recovery-oriented services such as counseling, group therapy, psychodrama, art therapy, mentoring and family engagement. Progress is measured/monitored in accordance with an individual education/recovery plan.
How do I refer a potential student?
As a parent: If you are concerned about your child’s substance use and would like to explore the options, including Compass Academy, the first step is to contact your student’s guidance office.
As a community-based organization or professional: If you are working with a student or family and have concerns about the student’s substance use, you can act as an advocate. Advocacy needs to include the student’s home school district as the formal referral to Compass Academy can only come from the student’s home school district. The first step would be to reach out to the school’s guidance office.
Want more information?
For questions about the program and how it works, please contact Mel Fennimore at The Addiction Center of Broome County, [email protected] 607.205.4626.
Meeting the educational needs of adolescents seeking help with chemical dependency and substance use