Alternative School Recruitment Week

A-Schoolers will spread the word about the unique educational opportunity offered at their school during Alternative School recruitment week, this week at Scarsdale High School.

This year, A-school students are visiting freshman English classes on Tuesday February 2nd. The presentations will feature a video that was produced by A-school students and teachers last year. The video includes clips from community meetings, core groups, fairness committees, special A-School events, and our annual overnight trip. Following the video, the recruiters will talk about their personal experiences in the program and answer any questions the ninth graders may have about the school.

On Monday, February 8th at 8:00 pm, A-School students and teachers are hosting an information night for prospective students and parents. This meeting is the perfect opportunity to ask questions, become more familiar with the program, and clear up any misconceptions or skepticism parents might have about the program. Traditionally this meeting is held in the Alternative School building. However, after consecutive years of overflow crowds jammed onto the frigid A-School porch, the faculty decided to move the meeting to a larger room at the Girl Scout House. Last year, the A-School had more than twice as many applicants as spots in the sophomore class, and the final roster included twenty-six new sophomores and four new juniors.

The A-School selects students using a lottery system and applicant’s names are picked out of a hat. This allows the school to get a diverse group of students and eliminates the pressure on prospective students to “sell” themselves, as they could have to do if there was an essay or interview required for admission. For families who have had older children in the A-School it is difficult when younger siblings apply and do not get in, but no one gets priority treatment, not even the son of the A-School’s director, Howard Rodstein.

Everyone in the Alternative School is very excited about recruitment and is open to answering questions from the community. Students who want to apply can pick up an application form from the Dean’s office or Principal’s office. All forms must be handed in to the Principal’s office by February 12 in order to be included in the lottery.