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About Our Services
Other Programs - Learning Lab
Program Description
The Learning Lab is the Youth Homes’ alternative education
program for youth involved in our programs but unable to attend
regular public school. A few children not in the Youth Homes area
lso admitted to the Lab with referral from Missoula County Public
School District 1. Among the several reasons why a student is placed
at the Learning Lab are: they have been expelled or suspended from
school; they are working toward their GED; they are awaiting enrollment
into a new school; or, they are having difficulty in their current
school setting and need a respite. The ultimate goal of the Learning
Lab is to provide a service for these students by helping them prepare
for their next academic setting. The short-term goal of the Lab
is to keep these young people learning and get them committed to
lifelong learning. Students do not receive formal school credit
for their work in most cases, unless work can be assigned from their
home school.
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| Students at the Learning Lab are
able to continue their education despite any upsets they may
be having in life. |
Program Structure
At the Learning Lab, youth receive:
- Instruction from a certified teacher in a small class setting
of from 6 to 10 students;
- Credit when work can be assigned from their home school;
- Assistance in studying for their GED through a certified course
of study;
- Development of an individual lesson plan at enrollment;
- Classroom instruction for 4.75 hours per day, from 9:00 to
11:30 a.m. and 12:30 to 2:45 p.m.;
- Instruction weekly from the best practices model of “Teenage
Health Teaching Modules;”
- Recreation time that provides physical activity, outside learning
experiences, and special events.
Placement Criteria
Children referred to the Learning Lab may be up to 19 years old
and are in need of an alternative educational opportunity. Youth
referred are often out of school due to extended absences, lack
of available credit, the need to wait for admission to school at
the start of a semester, or the time to begin a course of study
leading to a GED. The Lab is primarily meant to serve students living
in a Youth Homes’ facility or foster home, however it is available
to other students living in the community who could benefit from
a specialized learning environment. Admission of non-resident requires
an agreement regarding the rules and expectations of the Learning
Lab from the student and responsible adult. There is a fee for these
non-residents unless they are referred by MCPS District 1.
Contact Information
Sally Stansberry, Director of Operations
PO Box 7616
Missoula, MT 59807
Fax: 406-721-0034
sstansberry@youthhomes.com
Marilyn Seastone, Teacher
PO Box 7616
Missoula, MT 59807
(406) 728-2400 xt. 4777
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