A r c h i v e d  I n f o r m a t i o n

Alternative Schools for Pregnant and Parenting Teens

New Futures School

Mission:

Provide quality education and access to comprehensive services for pregnant and parenting teens, and encourage responsible parenting decisions and productive adult lives.

In existence since 1970, NFS is an alternative school within the Albuquerque Public School District that offers a high school education and support services for pregnant and parenting teens. Annually, NFS serves approximately 550 pregnant and parenting female adolescents and 30 teen fathers. Four cooperative centers offer child care on site for 300 children per year. The service population includes Hispanic (66 percent), white (18 percent), American Indian (9 percent), and African-American (6 percent) students, 12 to 20 years old.

Since 1985, NFS has been a fully accredited, diploma-granting institution, educating over 500 students each school year and 100 students in summer school. Components of the current program include academic programs for middle and high school completion; personal and group counseling; health screening and personal and child health education; access to site-based community health services; access to social services; child development and parenting education; four cooperative child care centers; and summer school.

NFS designs courses that are approved by the New Mexico State Department of Education. A private physician provides prenatal medical care. Classes in prenatal health are a requirement at NFS. The child development component of students' education includes direct instruction and lab experience. English as a second language assistance is available, as are special education classes. Other special classes are provided as support is available.

NFS students come from all Albuquerque public middle and high schools and from schools outside the district. Staff are selected for their professional commitment to equity, their professional expertise in their chosen field, and their ability to seek creative solutions to complex social issues within an educational environment.

Success is documented in annual reports and determined through health data, demographics, and school records, including graduation, pass/fail and dropout statistics, and scores on standardized tests. In addition, the program surveys students, staff, and other community members.

[Margaret Hudson Program, Inc.]

[Paquin Middle/Secondary School for Expectant and Parenting Adolescents]