Alternative Education

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An alternative school is any school that offers an “alternative” from a traditional school. Some students are just unable to learn in a traditional school setting and need a school that is more accommodating to their unique needs. For them an alternative school is the best option.

Intermediate Unit 1 operates alternative schools for students at the middle and secondary school level. The Educational Campus at Clark serves students attending the school districts in Washington and Greene Counties and the Educational Campus at Colonial serves students from Fayette County. The length of stay can vary from a few months to a few years depending on the student. The ultimate goal of the alternative programs is to help students develop the necessary skills that will enable them to return to their home school.

IU1 Alternative Education Programs are supported, in part, by Alternative Education for Disruptive Youth Grants from the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) and therefore abide by the guidelines established by PDE. Admission criteria states that students are admitted to an alternative education program only when other established methods of discipline have failed and programs shall limit enrollment to disruptive students as defined under 24 P.S. Section 19-1901-C (5). Eligible students must exhibit to a marked degree any or all of the following conditions:

1. Disregard for school authority, including persistent violation of school policy and rules;
2. Display of or use of controlled substances on school property or during school affiliated activities;
3. Violent or threatening behavior on school property or during school-related activities;
4. Possession of a weapon on school property;
5. Commission of a criminal act on school property;
6. Misconduct that would merit suspension or expulsion under school policy;
7. Habitual truancy; and
8. Special Education students in need of a 45-day interim alternative placement due to a weapon/drug/or serious bodily injury offense.

IU1 Educational Campuses at Clark, Colonial, and Penn Pitt offer educational programs aligned to the Pennsylvania Standards and Anchors in safe orderly environments. Teachers are employees of Intermediate Unit 1 and Pennsylvania certified. In addition to the academics, students are also offered the services of a psychiatrist, psychologist, social worker, school police officer, juvenile probation officer, and various other social services.

IU1 Educational Campus at Colonial

Dr. Cheryl Troglio, Principal
IU1 Educational Campus at Colonial — Alternative School/Therapeutic Emotional Support/Multidisability Support
724-938-3241 ext. 523 or 724-785-7472
troglioc@iu1.k12.pa.us

MaryAnn Fee, Assistant Principal
724-938-3241 ext. 516
feem@iu1.k12.pa.us

Teacher	Subject	Districts	Type of Service	Grade/Age Range	Max. Num. of Students
Denise Angelo	Science	Fayette County Only	Alternative	7th–12th grade
John Kopp	Math	Fayette County Only	Alternative	7th–12th grade
Marlene Porter	English	Fayette County Only	Alternative	7th–12th grade
Ronald Smith	Social Studies	Fayette County Only	Alternative	7th–12th grade
Sally DiNunno	Physical Education	Multi-district	Alt. & Special Education	7th–12th grade
Garry Brezovsky	Learning Support — Special Education	Fayette County Only	Resource	12–19	20
Jennifer Mizerak	Learning Support — Special Education	Fayette County Only	Resource	12–19	20
Abby Thompson	Learning Support — Special Education	Fayette County Only	Resource	12–16	20

IU1 Educational Campus at Clark

Craig Hummell, Principal, Team 8
IU1 Educational Campus at Clark — Alternative School
724-225-5505
hummelc@iu1.k12.pa.us

Teacher	Subject	Districts	Type of Service	Grade/Age Range	Max. Num. of Students
Kathryn Smith	Science	Multi-district	Alternative	8th–12th grade
Joanne Somerville	Math	Multi-district	Alternative	8th–12th grade
Megan Zyra	English	Multi-district	Alternative	8th–12th grade
Jeremy Fisher	Social Studies	Multi-district	Alternative	8th–12th grade
Stephanie Gregor	Emotional Support — Special Education	Multi-district	Resource	14–17	20
Nicole Lowers	Emotional Support — Special Education	Multi-district	Resource	17–19	20

IU1 Educational Campus at Penn Pitt

Angela Talerico, Principal, Team 12
IU1 Education Campus at Penn Pitt
724-943-3180