Serenity High School

Serenity High School is the oldest substance-abuse recovery public high school in Texas.[3][4] It was founded in 1999 as a partnership between the McKinney Independent School District and the Avenues Counseling Center in McKinney, Texas, and serves several school districts in and around Collin County, Texas.[1] As of November 2008, it has served over 150 graduates from over 25 high schools.[1]

Serenity School
Address
2550 Wilmeth Rd,

McKinney
,
Texas
75071

United States
Information
School typePublic high school, substance-abuse recovery high school
Established1999[1]
School districtMcKinney Independent School District
PrincipalStephen Issa[2]
Grades9–12
Student to teacher ratio10 to 1
Websitehttp://serenity.mckinneyisd.net/

The school was rated Academically Acceptable in the 2009 TEA accountability rating.[5]

Academics

Serenity High offers traditional instruction, self-paced studies, online instruction, and dual-credit instruction in conjunction with Collin College.[6] It has a student-teacher ratio of 10 to 1.[7]

Funding

Serenity High School is funded through the McKinney ISD, state funding, and private fundraising.[8] Out-of-district students pay tuition or have their local school districts pay tuition on their behalf.[1]

In 2002 and 2003, the school district considered closing the school due to costs. Private funds kept it open.[9][10][11]

In the fall of 2003, the school received a $160,000 grant from the Texas Education Agency.[4]

As of November 2008, private fundraising efforts included an annual golf tournament.[12]

Affiliations and accreditations

The school is in the McKinney Independent School District and is affiliated with the Association of Recovery Schools.[6] In addition, students from the Anna ISD, Blue Ridge ISD, Community ISD, Farmersville ISD, Frisco ISD, Gunter ISD, Melissa ISD, Plano ISD, Rockwall ISD, and Wylie ISD may attend without paying out-of-district tuition.[1] The school is accredited by the State of Texas[6] but did not receive a rating for the 2007-2008 school year[13]

National attention

In 2002, federal officials considering creating similar schools in the United States said the school could serve as a national model.[3]

References
  1. Serenity High School About page, retrieved 2008-11-30
  2. Serenity High School Contact page, retrieved 2008-11-30
  3. Piloto, Connie, "Serenity may be model for other schools Fate of financially shaky campus unclear despite national attention." Dallas Morning News. 2002-10-16. Google News
  4. "Serenity High State funding should build support for McKinney school." Dallas Morning News. 2003-11-29 Google News
  5. "2009 Accountability Rating System". Texas Education Agency. Archived from the original on 2015-10-25.
  6. Serenity High School - Curriculum and Academics, retrieved 2008-11-30
  7. Mission of Serenity High, retrieved 2008-11-30
  8. Save Serenity: Alternative school cannot survive without other districts' support." Dallas Morning News. 2004-11-04. Google News
  9. "Serenity High is at financial low: Program for recovering teen addicts given ultimatum." Dallas Morning News. 2002-07-05. Google News
  10. Price, Lori, "For now, Serenity's halls stay open District to run school through spring - if $30,000 is paid." Dallas Morning News. 2003-01-25 Google News
  11. Price, Lori, "McKinney trustees approve cuts: Board rejects axing alternative schools, block scheduling." Dallas Morning News. 2003-05-29 Google News
  12. Serenity High Golf Classic fundraising letter Archived 2011-07-14 at the Wayback Machine, 2008-10-03.
  13. MISD Campus Ratings 2007-2008 School Year, retrieved 2008-11-30

33°12′38.46″N 96°38′5.04″W

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