Mission

From RosemaryAnderson

Rosemary Anderson High School (RAHS)

RAHS has a successful history of reconnecting students who have lost interest in school by addressing the academic, social, and work readiness skills necessary to make a positive transition into adulthood. RAHS operates under key educational assumptions:

• Every student is capable of meeting and exceeding rigorous academic standards • Students thrive in small learning communities where caring adults assist in the transition to adulthood • Input from students, families and community members are essential for school improvement and curriculum development • Partnerships with local agencies, businesses and community members provide opportunities that enhance the educational experience of each student

Students are motivated by the curriculum RAHS offers as well as an extensive “system of care” and the way subjected material is related to real life and perhaps most importantly the recognition of each individual's unique abilities and unlimited potential to learn. We are very pleased that 21 of the 22 seniors enrolled last year successfully graduated.

• Employment and Training Program: The Employment and Training Program provides disadvantaged youth with the necessary skills to seek and maintain employment. Participants in our program receive resume’ writing instruction and assistance, customer service training, job placement,and paid internships. This program is also responsible for our catering and COFY (Career Opportunities for Youth) kiosk where participants also receive barista training and catering experience. The COFY kiosk is located on the corner of N. Interstate and Rosa Parks Way in the New Seasons Parking lot. Come by and enjoy a great cup of coffee while helping to support this program!

• Transitions Program: The Transitions program was implemented in 2007 and provides continued support of Rosemary Anderson High School Graduates as they move into post-secondary education or apprenticeship programs. This support begins at 17 years of age to 25 years of age. We know that youth who come from low income households, are in foster care and/or are children of minority status are more susceptible continuing the cycle of poverty into adulthood and have a greater chance of involvement with the justice system. To address this issue of youth “falling through the cracks” we utilize a “system of care” to support these youth as they transition to self sufficiency. We are thrilled that 9 of the 21 seniors that graduated last year are enrolled in post-secondary education through this new program.

• Family Outreach: The goal of family outreach is to reduce barriers to our student’s success by getting families to take an active role in the school community. We have several events that focus on family involvement, a parent support group for parents to discuss and get help with family issues lead by a licensed therapist, as well as several bi-lingual parent advocates that phone parents about school activities and act as a liaison between the school and parents. Family outreach also includes coordinating service learning projects designed to integrate community service with classroom curriculum as well as a comprehensive mentoring program in partnership with Lewis & Clark minority law students.

• Leadership Academy: The mission of the Leadership Academy is to redirect and replace disruptive and non-productive behaviors. Leadership Academy enables students to remove the emotional barriers that keep them from being productive and successful in and out of school. After a rigorous application process, 20 students are selected to participate in the Leadership Academy’s school program and LASER (Leadership Academy Summer Experiential Residency) an intensive five-day overnight experience. These 20 students act as role models and peer mentors for the rest of the student body.

System of Care

Rosemary Anderson High Schools goal of helping youth make a successful transition into adulthood demands that we support students beyond the basics of education. We have developed a holistic System of Care utilizing volunteers, community partners, businesses and university students to eliminate the barriers to academic and personal growth. We have many support groups and classes available to students including teen parenting class; boys group; girls group; drug and alcohol counseling. Some of our many partners include:

AJ Java Housing Authority of Portland Oregon Employment Department Alternative Pathways Inside Out Oregon Mentors Blazers Boys and Girls Club IRCO PCC One Stop Bridgetown Coffee Janus Youth Programs (Bridgehouse, Changes) Portland Community College Cascadia Juvenile Detention Hall Portland State University Concordia Lewis & Clark Law School Providence St. Vincent Connected by 25 Lifeworks Northwest Rebuilding Center Department of Human Services LINKS Martha Rich, DMD Ecumenical Ministries MIKE program Ryan Blair, DMD El Programo Hispanic Morrison Center Salvation Army Food Leadership Institute Multnomah Co. Health Clinic Sylvan Learning Center Healthy Birth Initiative New Avenues for Youth Teen Insights House of Umoja North Portland Library Worksystems Inc.