Serenity High School is the oldest substance-abuse recovery public high school in Texas.[3][4] It was founded in 1999 as a partnership between the McKinney Independent School District and the Avenues Counseling Center in McKinney, Texas, and serves several school districts in and around Collin County, Texas.[1] As of November 2008, it has served over 150 graduates from over 25 high schools.[1]
| Serenity School | |
|---|---|
| Address | |
 | |
2550 Wilmeth Rd, , 75071 United States | |
| Information | |
| School type | Public high school, substance-abuse recovery high school |
| Established | 1999[1] |
| School district | McKinney Independent School District |
| Principal | Stephen Issa[2] |
| Grades | 9–12 |
| Student to teacher ratio | 10 to 1 |
| Website | http://serenity.mckinneyisd.net/ |
The school was rated Academically Acceptable in the 2009 TEA accountability rating.[5]
Academics
editSerenity High offers traditional instruction, self-paced studies, online instruction, and dual-credit instruction in conjunction with Collin College.[6] It has a student-teacher ratio of 10 to 1.[7]
Funding
editSerenity High School is funded through the McKinney ISD, state funding, and private fundraising.[8] Out-of-district students pay tuition or have their local school districts pay tuition on their behalf.[1]
In 2002 and 2003, the school district considered closing the school due to costs. Private funds kept it open.[9][10][11]
In the fall of 2003, the school received a $160,000 grant from the Texas Education Agency.[4]
As of November 2008, private fundraising efforts included an annual golf tournament.[12]
Affiliations and accreditations
editThe school is in the McKinney Independent School District and is affiliated with the Association of Recovery Schools.[6] In addition, students from the Anna ISD, Blue Ridge ISD, Community ISD, Farmersville ISD, Frisco ISD, Gunter ISD, Melissa ISD, Plano ISD, Rockwall ISD, and Wylie ISD may attend without paying out-of-district tuition.[1] The school is accredited by the State of Texas[6] but did not receive a rating for the 2007-2008 school year[13]
National attention
editIn 2002, federal officials considering creating similar schools in the United States said the school could serve as a national model.[3]
References
edit- ^ a b c d e Serenity High School About page, retrieved 2008-11-30
- ^ Serenity High School Contact page, retrieved 2008-11-30
- ^ a b Piloto, Connie, "Serenity may be model for other schools Fate of financially shaky campus unclear despite national attention." Dallas Morning News. 2002-10-16. Google News
- ^ a b "Serenity High State funding should build support for McKinney school." Dallas Morning News. 2003-11-29 Google News
- ^ "2009 Accountability Rating System". Texas Education Agency. Archived from the original on 2015-10-25.
- ^ a b c Serenity High School - Curriculum and Academics, retrieved 2008-11-30
- ^ Mission of Serenity High, retrieved 2008-11-30
- ^ Save Serenity: Alternative school cannot survive without other districts' support." Dallas Morning News. 2004-11-04. Google News
- ^ "Serenity High is at financial low: Program for recovering teen addicts given ultimatum." Dallas Morning News. 2002-07-05. Google News
- ^ Price, Lori, "For now, Serenity's halls stay open District to run school through spring - if $30,000 is paid." Dallas Morning News. 2003-01-25 Google News
- ^ Price, Lori, "McKinney trustees approve cuts: Board rejects axing alternative schools, block scheduling." Dallas Morning News. 2003-05-29 Google News
- ^ Serenity High Golf Classic fundraising letter Archived 2011-07-14 at the Wayback Machine, 2008-10-03.
- ^ MISD Campus Ratings 2007-2008 School Year, retrieved 2008-11-30 [dead link]
External links
edit- Association of Recovery Schools
- Avenues Counseling Center
- Interview[permanent dead link], KNTU-FM radio interviews Principal Juli Ferraro and two students. Also: Interview with Traci Bowermaster, the chair of the Association of Recovery Schools, Interview with Mandy Baker of the Center for the Study of Addictions at Texas Tech University.
- Serenity High School demographic information