Private Schools Back to Education  REACH School, Inc. Bucksport Riverside School George Stevens Academy Evangel Baptist Academy Liberty School   REACH School, Inc.   REACH is a rural educational alternative community middle/ senior high school for grades 7-12. What makes REACH an alternative school? A SCHOOL THAT, BECAUSE OF:  Low student/ teacher ratio. Individual learning programs. Student responsibility/ accountability. CAN CATER TO THE STUDENTS:  Unique learning style Social adjustment Motivation rate.  Student needs and abilities determine the curriculum and teaching style. REACH receives funding for its operation and materials from four sources: Tuition paid by sending towns............................81% Educational grants.............................................6% Student fund raising...........................................2% Donations.........................................................11% "If REACH never exited, I would have quit school at the age of 15."  Sophomore 1992 STATISTICS: Between 1986 and 1997, REACH School, Inc. has: Established a success rate of 80%. Served over 300 students from 22 different towns in Hancock & surrounding counties. Graduated 15%, enabled 13% to return to their public school. Seen 44% return to REACH to continue their education. Seen approximately 15% receive GED’s Adult Education classes. Maintained an average attendance rate of 85%. Significantly reduced the dropout rate in the communities it serves. "Now in my life, I feel more confident in all the things I do."  Senior 1993 ADMISSIONS PROCESS: Students must desire to attend. No one is "sent" to REACH school. Students must obtain and fill out an application. A day’s visit is scheduled. If the student and REACH staff find the visit positive, an admissions meeting is scheduled. The admissions meeting is attended by the Student, Parent, REACH director, and teacher, BMS, or BHS Guidance Councilor and Principal. The student’s academic, social, and emotional needs are discussed at the admissions meeting. Upon agreement, the student is admitted to the REACH Program and begins immediately. "I’ve learned that people really care about me." - Freshman 1991  Non-discriminatory policy: REACH school, Inc. does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex religion, physical disability, national mission, policies, and other school programs.  "I owe my schooling all to REACH." - Graduate 1993  SOME FACTORS THAT MAKE REACH SCHOOL WORK: Upon completion of required credits, students receive a Bucksport High School diploma. Our community service program (designed to help low income, elderly, or disabled community members). Provisions so students can work at their own pace. Choice of classes. Work/ volunteer study programs. Consistent rule enforcement. Tight "family" atmosphere. Exchange program with BHS (special classes, extra curricular activities). Use of BHS guidance counselors. Success is the responsibility of the student. "This school has and still is helping me. I think any one of the students who go here would agree with me." - Sophomore 1993 For more information contact Director Richard Crampton, First & Franklin Streets, P.O. Box 1366, Bucksport ME 04416.  Tel. (207) 469-7147. Top of page  Bucksport Riverside School Bucksport Riverside School offers education to students Pre-K to grade 4. It is located at 158  Main St. in Bucksport. For more information contact Director Barbara Bailey-Schmidt, RFD 2, Box 620, Bucksport ME 04416.  Tel. (207) 469-7839. Top of page George Stevens Academy George Stevens Academy is located on Union St. in Blue Hill. The school accepts students from Blue Hill, Brooklin, Brooksville, Castine, Orland, Penobscot, Sedgwick, and Surry. For more information contact David Hutchings, head master at P.O. Box 816, Blue Hill ME 04614.  Tel. (207) 374-2808.   Top of page Evangel Baptist Academy Evangel Baptist Academy offers education to students grades K-12. It is located at 18 Central St. in Bucksport. The school has operated since 1970 as part of the ministry of Evangelical Baptist Church. EBA offers traditional class room settings. For more information contact Pastor Dennis Gonczy, Administrator at P.O Box Drawer Q, Bucksport ME 04416.  Tel. (207) 469-7121.  Top of page Liberty School Liberty School is a state-certified secondary school featuring a democratic learning community.  For more information contact Principal Arnold Greenberg at libschool@ntescape.net.  Tel (207) 374-288.   Top of page   SourceBook 1999-2000, Bucksport Bay Chamber of Commerce Annual Report July 1, 1998-June 30, 1999. Revised: Cassandra Caton, 07/2000