BCIU Alternative learning academy

17 Basket Road, Reading, PA 19606

The Alsace School for Alternative Education and Emotional Support provides comprehensive educational opportunities for students that may be at risk, in need of supports that cannot be implemented in another educational environment, or are struggling in the traditional school setting.

The Alsace program focuses on three areas that foster learning and growth: climate, counseling, and curriculum.  

CLIMATE

The Alsace staff share in the belief that every child can learn and that it is never too late to make things right. Through character education, research-based social skills programming and opportunities for practice, students acquire the skills and attributes required to build upon their strengths.

COUNSELING

Each student enrolled at the Alsace School participates in a minimum of three hours of individual and group counseling per week. In addition to the mandated counseling, students may also register for an additional two and one half hours of counseling by selecting “Therapeutic Techniques” as an elective. All students, regardless of the reason for referral, have access to both master’s- and doctoral-level counselors.

CURRICULUM

Students attending Alsace follow a schedule that reflects their current grade and instructional level. Our professional teaching staff employs Pennsylvania’s Standards Aligned System to meet the needs of every student.

In addition, students are afforded an opportunity to participate in online coursework via Apex Learning, as well as distance learning through the Berks County Intermediate Unit’s Asian Studies Collaborative. 

Alsace follows a six-day rotating schedule. Each content area course meets five out of the six days. Students will participate in Physical Education twice per rotation and Health and Career Exploration once. 

Classrooms

Each classroom at the Alsace School is equipped with a SmartBoard and has access to both laptop and desktop computers, complete with wireless Internet throughout.   All classrooms are staffed with one teacher and one specialist. All teachers are fully certificated in the content areas in which they teach. 

COMMUNITY SERVICE

Consistent with the expectation set forth by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, each student enrolled at Alsace must complete at least 10 hours of community service each school year.