Orchard View Alternative High School 

What is Orchard View?

Orchard View Alternative High School is a Wappingers Central School District (WCSD) is dedicated for students who have not reached their full potential in the traditional high school setting. Our school provides students with a full range of courses required for high school graduation, as well as certain electives. Students enrolled in Orchard View are actively involved in their own education.  Their future success in life rests on making good decisions, which is enforced through Orchard View’s positive behavior supports and interventions.   Students have the opportunity to take control of their future in a highly structured, supportive environment.

• Grades 9-12.
• Small Teacher to Student Ratio
• School hours: 7:55am – 1:40pm
• Transportation Provided
• Class schedule: eight (8) forty-two (41) minute academic periods.
• There is limited food service and vending machines.

Who can attend?

Students attending Orchard View are in need of a non-traditional setting that is responsive to a diverse range of adolescence issues.  Students who attend Orchard View represent a diverse population of learners with various strengths and abilities.  Any high school student in the Wappingers Central School District who is interested in attending Orchard View should speak to their current high school counselor to learn about the application process.   

 Social/Emotional Learning

All students at Orchard View participate in Empowerment Academy.  Through the Academy, students are able to learn various skills that encourage critical thinking, accountability, and team building.  Our Faculty serves as advisors to all students and meets regularly throughout the school year.

In learning Growth Mindset, our students are more willing to take academic risks which builds strength, ability, and confidence.  Goal setting becomes a primary focus which fosters student engagement and commitment.  Our social-emotional learning is a mandatory and integral part of our students’ education. 

Community Service

Community service is an integral component of the Orchard View student experience.  Through service to others, students gain an appreciation for their community while enhancing their own emotional development.  In addition this experience provides the opportunity to foster and develop interpersonal skills, teach responsibility, and build self-confidence. Every student at Orchard View is required to complete 10 hours of community service each school year.  While students may choose to participate in service opportunities organized by the faculty of Orchard View, they are also permitted to independently complete the community service requirement. 

Counseling Program

Orchard View’s support staff includes a school counselor and a social worker, who work to improve the social/emotional well-being of students in the school setting.  The support staff’s role includes, but is not limited to, the following:

• Counsel individual students with needs or concerns relating to academic, behavioral, and social/emotional issues.
• Counsel small groups with needs or concerns relating to academic, behavioral, and social/emotional issues.
• Provide support for families regarding school related problems.

Provide referrals to appropriate specialists, special programs, or agencies

Enrollment Procedure

Students who are interested in applying to Orchard View should contact their current school counselor for an application and to learn more about the intake process.   Applications that have a completed student and parent/guardian section should be submitted for review by the student’s current school counselor and building administrator.  The current school counselor will initiate the intake process with Orchard View Administration and an intake meeting will be scheduled. Applications may be submitted at any time during the school year.  Admitted students may start the program at the beginning of either the Fall or Spring Semester.