MayDay Fall Enrollment for Justice Engaged Students

Right now, there are 8-10K school-aged youth who are not enrolled in school for fall. They may not think school is for them, but they deserve to know options exist for gaining credit in non-traditional school models that support their success despite the challenges they are facing.

In your role, you may be aware of students who:

  • aren’t enrolled

  • are chronically absent (missing more than 10%)

  • are enrolled, but haven’t actually shown up 

  • haven’t found a place where they feel supported and successful

This matters for their life long success and now is the time to intervene with support ahead of the October 1, 2024 count (period extends 5 days before and 5 days after).

Below is a list of strong options for students who haven’t yet found their school home.

  • 5280 High School (Metro Area)

    5280 is unique in its commitment to address substance misuse and various kinds of addiction alongside making educational progress. Not only does the school deliver education in an engaged project-based format that prepares students for the future, but recovery coaches work right alongside teachers to support student success. Additionally, 5280 transports students all over the Metro Area via van to eliminate transportation barriers. 

    To help a student enroll:

    Call 720-919-1056

    Email Keith Hayes at keith.hayes@5280highschool.org

    Visit 5280highschool.org/enroll

  • Academy of Las Animas Online (statewide drop-in centers)

    AOLA provides an optimal level of personal support to all students even though school is on-line by assigning each student an Advocate that checks in with them at minimum weekly, but often more frequently to make sure the student receives the academic and personal support they need. Their on-line system makes it easy for students to track their progress and students can get their work done anytime that works for them 24:7. Drop-in centers provide a place of community and support. 


    To help a student enroll:

    Call 719-931-4377

    Email enrollment@academy-la.com

    Visit: academy-la.com and click the enrollment link

  • AUL - formerly Academy of Urban Learning (Denver)

    AUL empowers students to be healthy and equip themselves for the future in overlapping ways throughout the school year that result in a tight knit and caring school community. Founded by the Jared Polis Foundation and Urban Peak, AUL nurtures the academic and social/emotional growth of students facing instability and utilizes project-based learning (PBL) to make education more engaging and effective. Their student’s were critical in the testimony to get HB24-126, the Justice-Engaged Student Bill of Rights passed.


    To help a student enroll:

    Call 303-282-0900

    Visit: auldenver.org/enrollment

  • Field Academy (Metro Area + Statewide)

    FA is an educational program that provides hands-on credit recovery and high school equivalency. Field Academy's program is an immersive program based in the community. All hands-on experiences are connected to applied academics and academic skill building in order to graduate. All services are free for students and include transportation and 3 meals a day. 


    Field Academy supports students who are not succeeding in the traditional system, acting as a bridge for them to re-engage with the world around them and become active members of the community. 


    To help a student enroll:

    Email Anna Graves at agraves@fieldacademy.org to ask for the class schedule

    Visit: fieldacademy.org/apply

  • GOAL Academy (Metro Area + Statewide)

    GOAL offers on-line learning and drop-in centers in many places across the state. Goal’s unique in its concurrent enrollment, graduation and Career & Technical pathways as well as opportunity for students to participate in ESports.


    To help a student enroll:

    Call 1-877-776-4625

    Visit: goalac.org

  • Zero Dropouts (Metro Area + Greeley)

    ZD offers unique and supportive individualized GED options. The program is designed for youth who are not on-track to graduate with a traditional high school diploma. We offer a GED Plus option (ages 16-21) as well as credit recovery toward earning your High School Diploma (ages 14-21). Programs serve different communities and may offer slightly different resources.


    To help a student enroll:

    Call 1-888-968-9376

    Visit: zerodropouts.com/nextged and click the orange button

We recognize this list is not exhaustive and invite you to introduce us to school leaders who should be included on the referral list for the hotline to add. We hope these resources are helpful to you and your community as we continue forward in our efforts of ensuring our justice engaged youth achieve success in school and in life!