Alternative Education Services
Lents Education Center
Lents Education Center is a 40-student private alternative school for youth in the 6th through 10th grades. Lents has contracted with metropolitan area public school districts since 1972 to serve youth who have not been successful in public school or public school alternative education programs because of problems with attendance, academics, behavior, or social skills. Lents specializes in working with special education students who are primarily ED, LD and OHI (usually ADD/HD). Maximum class size is 8 with an overall student to staff ratio of no more than 5 to 1.
A transitional program designed to support public schools, not compete with them, Lents does not graduate students but instead works with students during the difficult early to mid-teen years, preparing them to transition as far into the mainstream as is appropriate and realistic. While students work at their own pace, every Lents' student takes English, math, reading, art and a range of social studies classes. Lents also offers an exceptional science education curriculum utilizing computer technology and hands-on experiential learning projects. By the time a student leaves Lents they have achieved a good record of academic and social progress and have rediscovered the joy of learning.
Lents is registered and licensed by the Oregon Department of Education. Credits earned at Lents are accepted by its contracting school districts.
Clinton School
Clinton School serves up to 40 male and female adolescents who are either in residential treatment programs operated by Janus Youth Programs or in shelter care services provided by the Boys and Girls Aid Society. Students range in age from 11 – 18, are in grades 6 – 12, and are comprised of a combination of general education and special education youth. The special education population includes a range of eligibilities including, but not limited to, Emotional Disturbance, Other Health Impairments, Learning Disabilities, Autism, and Communication Disorders. All of the students attending Clinton School are wards of the court and are currently experiencing major instability and crisis in their lives. Students come with a variety of DSM-IV diagnoses, emotional concerns, and behavioral challenges.
Clinton School staff work collaboratively with the contracting agencies to provide a safe environment for learning. On site Clinton School treatment staff act as consistent liaisons between the school and the group homes and are available to students and school staff throughout the day by providing behavior intervention and therapeutic support.