What is AHSI?

The Alternative High School Initiative is a network of youth development organizations committed to creating educational opportunities for young people for whom traditional school settings have not been successful.

The Alternative High School Initiative (AHSI) was launched in 2003 as a response to the growing national trend of diminishing graduation rates, affecting this country’s low income, African American and Latino youth.

AHSI is a collaboration of organizations working with local communities to generate and sustain safe, top quality high schools for vulnerable youth. Together these organizations present families, districts and policy stakeholders with a portfolio of small, alternative high school options. The schools are student-centered and strive to have youth voice, project-based learning and leadership development drive the learning process.

The Big Picture Company convenes the network in an effort to strengthen participating organizations’ individual and collaborative work.  The National League of Cities also supports the network as a liaison to municipal leaders.