Founded in 1994, Passages was established as a home-based high school diploma program teen parents, ages 14-22, living in Waldo or Knox and parts of Lincoln Counties. In 2007, Passages, in collaboration with the Cobscook Community Learning Center in Trescott, Maine, opened a satellite Passages program for teen parents living in Washington County. It is free of charge to students under age 20. Tuition is requested for older students and is based on financial ability. The program is supported through school district state subsidy (15%), grants (30%) and private donations (55%). The program runs year round.
Passages is modeled on the Walkabout Curriculum created by Maurice Gibbons of Vancouver and adapted for use by Arnie Langberg in several American public and private school programs. The metaphor of the walkabout compares high school to the rite of passage in aboriginial Australia. The greater community becomes the outback in which students making the journey to adulthood practice the core skills of the culture
Student work at their own pace with a teacher/counselor on twenty-four Core Skills covering academic, parenting and life skills. The Core Skills include Budgeting, Community Resources, Computer Proficiency, Conflict Resolution, Creating Something, Critical Thinking, Early Childhood Development, First Aid, Health and Nutrition, Home Safety and Organization, Infant Care, Job Hunting, Math, Parenting, Pregnancy, Reading and Writing, Scientific Method, Self Care, Sexuality, Shopping, Transportation, Understanding Abuse, and U.S. Citizenship/History.
Passages emphasizes the concept of "self-directed learning" with opportunities for students to develop their own interests and lesson plans. Reflection, awareness, observation and behavioral changes are skills as important to learn as academic knowledge. Using the Relational Education philosophy, the teacher/counselor and student work to build a trusting, supportive and resilient relationship. They meet weekly in the student's home. Five workshops and six hours of community service are also required. A student's program culminates in a final Passage project.
The Passage is a project chosen by the student to address a particular passion, fear, challenge or risk. They design and execute their project with the support of their Passage committee. The committee meets three times throughout their project to help the student plan and evaluate their work. At the final meeting the committee decides whether the student successfully completed what they set out to do.
Students contact The Community School either by phone #236-3000, by email: martha@thecommunityschool.org or by filling out the application form on this website. A home visit is made to explain the program and application process. Interested students then make an appointment for an in-depth interview at the school. After the interview a set of relevant challenges/tasks are sent for the student to complete by a set deadline acceptance. If a student completes these steps successfully, they are then accepted into the program and put on a waiting list for the first available opening.
