Orchard View School
Wappingers Central School District Alternative High School
Mr. Edward Kossmann, Principal
99 Myers Corners Road
Wappingers Falls, NY 12590
(845) 298-5100 ext 213
 
The Orchard View School is a Wappingers Central School District Alternative High School Porgram for non-traditional learners.  The school provides learners a full range of courses requred for high school graduation.  The school simulates a professional environment to complement a core, highly structured, academic and counseling program.  In addition, integral components of the program include community involvement and mentoring. 
 
The Orchard View School serves learners who have not experienced success in the traditional high school program, an option that allows them an opportunity to obtain a high school diploma.  Learners who are struggling academically and/or experiencing discipline problems may be viable candidates for the program. 
Problem areas may include inadequate study skills, bevavior control problems, low self-esteem, short attention span, truant and/or tardy behavior, difficulty with taking direction, difficulty concentrating and lack of motivation. 
 
Emphasis is placed on understanding individual learning styles and skill levels.  Learners are placed in classes according to the graduatuion requirements of the
Wappingers Central School Distirct.  Staff members recognize individual strengths and develop approaches and compensatory learning strategies needed to remedy academic weakness.  Intensive small group (e.g., 10 to 12) instruction is an integral part of the academic program.
 
General Information:
- Learners are ages 14 - 18, in grades 9 - 12
- The program offers  three separate, but interwoven strands
- A one year concurrent program, in which learners take courses at their WCSD
  base high school, as well as academic subjects at Orchard View School
- A one or two year transitional program designed to return the learner to his/her
  base high school
- A two or three year diploma program designed to have the learner graduate    
  from high school while 100% enrolled in Orchard View School
- Learners earn Wappingers Central School District credit
- Academic classes and counseling groups are small in size
- The school's academic/counseling program is in operation from 2:00 pm to
   8:00 pm Monday through Friday
- Eight (8) forty-two (42) minute periods following the WCSD's six (6) day cycle
  are offered and one (1) period is set aside for lunch/dinner
- The Orchard View School follows the WCSD calendar
- Enrollment in the program is voluntary
 
How to Enroll:
Although enrollment in the program will be voluntary, learners must satisfactorily complete the following steps prior to admission:
 
1. Learners may apply for admission at anytime during the school year.  A
    completed application form must be signed by the learner and his/her parents
    or guardians.  It is strongly recommended that parentws prior to giving written
    consent, first contact their child's base high school guidance counselor to obtain
    an indormation packet on the program and inquire about orientation dates.
 
2.  Recommendation in writing of the base school guidance counselor (attached to
     the application form).
 
3.  Written approval of base school principal (attached to the application form).
 
4.  Writen approval of COS administrator responsible for the Orchard View School
     (attached to the application form).
 
5.  Learner and parent/guardian interview with Orchard View School coordinator
     and guidance counselor.  The meeting will include:
     (a) review of current credits
     (b) identify total credit needs
     (c) plan a program for the current semester
 
6.  Tentative approval of the Orchard View School Coordinator.
 
7.  Manditory participation by learner and parent/guardian in pre-program
     orientation.