Youth Life Skills

Youth Life Skills (YLS) was designed to assist in the prevention or discouragement of students leaving high school before they graduate. Youth Life Skills is an alternative to mainstream or traditional classroom structure. Youth Life Skills offers a non-traditional approach to education, focusing on the student as an individual and catching those who have fallen through the cracks. At Youth Life Skills we believe leaving school without a diploma negatively impacts the lives of individuals both their professional and personal. Youth Life Skills primary goal is to prepare students for lifetime achievement by creating an innovative and academically excellent school. Many students and parents choose Youth Life Skills because of the small class sizes, an individualized learning process that equates to positive productive and an environment conducive to each student’s learning style. Youth Life Skills acknowledges the fact that students who attend Youth Life Skills enjoy an individualized high school experience in an environment that offers:

Close Student-Teacher Relationship

Student Decision-Making

Diverse curriculum built around each student’s goals, needs and learning style(s)

Peer Guidance & Parental Involvement

More flexibility in academic scheduling

An environment where students feel engaged, empowered and challenged

An environment of mutual respect for every person

A certified High School Diploma from their home school

Instructional standards designed by the Indiana Department of Education and implemented by certified teachers

Admissions Process

Determine whether Youth Life Skills would be a good fit for your son or daughter.
Determine whether your son or daughter is a good fit for Youth Life Skills. (We only accept students who are strongly interested in obtaining their high school diploma or credits leading to their high school diploma).
Contact your son or daughter’s high school guidance counselor for required documents (referral form, transcript and any specialized testing - GQE).
Schedule a diagnostic test to determine your son or daughter’s academic skill level. (A testing score of 7.0 or higher is preferred). Contact Youth Life Skills to obtain results of testing at (260) 467-6370.
Schedule an orientation and start date. (First 30 days are a probationary period to determine the student/program cohesion).

Youth Life Skills (YLS) is the Fort Wayne Community Schools “alternative high school program of choice”. YLS supports, strengthens and reengages positive decision making by rendering individualized support systems that can assist in building a successful future.

We provide many varied opportunities for students to learn and develop their potential. Programs of choice and alternative educational pathways develop learners’ skills, attitudes and abilities. Our core values – respect, integrity and compassion – are reflected in our schools’ activities.

Youth Life Skills (YLS) serves young adults, who are enrolled in the Fort Wayne Community Schools grades 9-12 who lack a high school diploma. Many students attend YLS for a variety of reasons – credit recovery, the student cannot handle the social or academic pressures of traditional school; they hate school and want to quit; they need to work. The list of reasons is long, but these students have something in common; they are failing in the system. Students are angry, troubled, frightened and some are pregnant or parenting and unable to attend traditional schools. They often feel alone, useless, unworthy, and unloved. Some have been told so often and by so many that, they are losers, they have come to believe it. At YLS students choose to be here and they stay because their self-esteem improves; confidence in their own abilities to succeed increase and they look forward to the rest of their lives with anticipation. The staff of YLS is committed to providing each student with an opportunity to succeed and to reach his or her fullest potential. Students, teachers, school systems, and communities are experiencing the success of knowing that each student who stays in school and graduates is an achievement to be valued and celebrated.

Youth Life Skills (YLS) may not be the anecdote for every student. However, of the students entering YLS’ environment well over 90% of the students attain or make satisfactory progress toward accomplishing their goals each year.

Youth Life Skills (YLS) is grounded in the development and implementation of relationship building to assist students in finding success. To that end, the program and staff are dedicated to providing learning opportunities that are personal and prepare students for the world of work or college. Each staff member is dedicated to connecting to the individual student as a listener, helper, role model, or coach.

Students at Youth Life Skills (YLS) have the opportunity to make positive changes in preparation for life. A commitment to take advantage of this opportunity is critical to ongoing success in school and life. Student responsibility will be to share their vision of success and allow us to be a partner in achieving success by following the program expectations. The mission of FWCS is embodied in the philosophy of Youth Life Skills. We believe in educating all students to high standards, enabling them to become productive, responsible citizens. We are committed to working cooperatively with parents and the community to prepare our students for success in the endeavors of their choice. We believe that ALL students can succeed.

Youth Life Skills (YLS) can offer individualized learning schedules to meet the needs of students who have work or family commitments. Students on a regular schedule attend four class periods in the morning and four class periods in the afternoon. This enables students to focus on the work and complete courses more quickly. Daily, Monday – Friday, before school and after school time is allotted for special tutoring or individualized instruction.

The first step to entering Youth Life Skills (YLS) is to speak with your school administrator or guidance counselor. Students are required to work with their parents, teachers, and school administrators to complete essential documentation. Obligatory documentation includes: YLS referral form, a current transcript, and a copy of your GQE scores. Schedule a basic academic skills assessment (TABE). The TABE is given on Wednesdays at 7:30 a.m. (see website for dates) and should be completed by 11:30 a.m. Students check-in at 7:15 a.m. in room 14 lower level of Anthis Career Center. The TABE takes approximately 3.0 hrs. The purpose of the TABE is to provide a foundation for designing a custom pathway based on the student's ability level, academic and personal needs. School counselors will share any testing modifications required by a student’s IEP or 504 plan with YLS staff, and when students contact YLS directly, YLS will review a student’s IEP or 504 plan (as applicable) to determine if the student requires testing modifications. Test proctors must provide the required accommodations.

Daily Schedule

7:00 a.m. - Instructional Staff Arrives

7:30 a.m. - 1st Period8:15 a.m. - 2nd Period9:00 a.m. - BREAK9:15 a.m. - 3rd Period10:00 a.m. - 4th Period10:45 a.m. - LUNCH11:15 a.m. - 5th Period12:00 p.m. - 6th Period12:45 p.m. - BREAK1:00 p.m. - 7th Period1:45 p.m. - 8th Period2:30 p.m. - DISMISSAL: STUDENTS - E/LA & MA REMEDIATION & TUTORING3:00 p.m. - DISMISSAL: STUDENTS - INSTRUCTIONAL STAFF

Testimonials

I started at Youth Life Skills my junior year of high school. Before I attended there, I was never showing up to school and just wanted to be done. I never cared for any kids or teachers at my other schools but once I went to YLS, I enjoyed being there. The teachers treated everyone like adults and their goal was getting us to graduate with good grades. I loved Youth Life Skills. I was able to get all my work done at my own pace and the teachers were always there when I needed help. They were able to focus more on students because of the smaller number of kids in each class. While attending YLS, I also got better grades and I had great attendance because I was so motivated to finish my work so I could graduate. I actually enjoyed going to school. I ended up finishing school early December my senior year two weeks before winter break, and I was able to start my full-time job as a CNA at Parkview a week after finishing school. I felt so much more accomplished because before I knew about YLS I didn’t think I would finish school. I am extremely happy I had the chance to go to an alternative school that could provide more direct help and support.

Lania

Mr. Outlaw, thank you so much for your kindness and your support. You guys were truly a wonderful blessing to my family and especially my son.

Anne W.

Youth Life Skills helped me by giving me another chance at success. They gave me enough time to do so. The teachers are great people and love to help the students even when you don’t ask. All you have to do is put forth the effort. Plus, the work space is pretty much always quiet which makes for a good learning environment. This helped me focus on my studies and with the time they gave me to complete it, I was able to get all my work finished without worrying or stressing. YLS gives students a chance to learn and grow on their own time. YLS is a great school for teenagers.

Ladell

Last year at YLS, I was able to graduate thanks to all the amazing teachers there. It’s a wonderful program where you get to work at your own pace so you don’t get overwhelmed. If you ever need help with anything, there’s always a staff member that will help you. Thank you for helping get through my senior year. Everyone’s kind words and positive attitude always brought a smile to my face, even if I woke up not feeling very motivated. You guys are all amazing teachers and we, as students, are very lucky to have you. Thank you so very much again!

Noah