treet School is the only tuition free, non-profit, alternative high school of choice in the Tulsa area that provides education, therapeutic counseling and outreach programs. Founded in 1972, our youth services program has grown to where we are now providing direct services for approximately 147 youth each year. Street School’s program is focused on dropout prevention, intervention and recovery, and is a state and nationally certified substance abuse and treatment program. The need for the Street School program continues as we operate at capacity with 90 students each session, and a waiting list of approximately 20 students.

Despite all the different reasons youth choose to come to Street School, they all have something in common. Their academic, social and emotional needs, pregnancy and/or parenting responsibilities have not been met through traditional public education. The Street School program strives to keep students in school; supporting them through the achievement of their high school diploma. This is critical when you consider the consequences youth face when they drop out of school.

One out of every ten students drops out of school beginning at age 13 or the eighth grade in Tulsa. The impact of students dropping out of school affects everyone in many ways. Students who complete their high school education are more employable, earn higher salaries, increase tax revenues, lower welfare costs, reduce public health care costs and lower incarceration rates. As a matter of fact, for every 1,000 students that are prevented from dropping out of school, there is a lifetime government savings of $81 million dollars.

Statistics show that:

• 10% of youth ages 16 to 19 or 4,834 teenagers dropout of school each year in the Tulsa Metropolitan Statistical Area (six county metro area)
• 28% of people or 20,841 individuals in the Tulsa MSA ages 18 - 24 did not graduate from high school
• 71% of Oklahoma state prison inmates did not receive a high school diploma
• 25% of those in poverty have less than a high school education compared to 13% that graduated
• Oklahoma high school graduates earn 18% more than those that do not graduate.

(Source: 2000 US Census Bureau for Tulsa MSA and Oklahoma, and U.S. Department of Justice.)

Without a dropout prevention program like Street Schools, the statistics would be much worse. We know that to make a difference in the lives of Tulsa youth ages 14 1/2 – 19 in grades 9 through 12 whom we serve each day, we must help them acquire both social and academic tools. To promote change and achievement, our teachers and counselors design creative The World As Our Classroom learning activities and strategies that motivate students to learn, grow and become socially competent productive citizens. Our program focuses on building the skills and healthy habits students need.

Being a school of choice means that students choose Street School as their high school and complete an application process for admittance. The school is an attractive setting for students who are committed not only to their education, but also to resolving substance-abuse problems, learning and practicing life skills, dealing with behavioral issues or filling a void of education and emotional support traditionally provided by family. Street School does not charge tuition.

Street School has a brain based approach to learning, and counseling has always been an integral part of our program. Our low student-to-teacher ratio of 12:1 and student-to-counselor ratio of approximately 15:1 are important as we create an environment where students feel like they belong and are part of a family.

The Street School program is special and unique in how it addresses the dropout problem and turns students around moving them in a positive direction where they can be successful and productive members of the community by creating opportunities for students to reach their fullest potential.

Street School alumni are contributing members of our community. Almost 25 percent of all of our graduates continued their education on scholarships. This year, 73 percent of our graduates went on to college. From our personal follow-up, we know that three years after graduation, almost 75 percent of Street School alumni were employed full-time. Our success is a result of our unique approach to alternative education, youth services, and our public and private partnerships. In 2004, Street School was awarded the Crystal Star of Excellence Award by the National Dropout Prevention Network for excellence in dropout prevention.