The Baxter County Alternative School (BCAS) is a private program under the auspices of the Juvenile Justice Programs of Baxter County Circuit Court, Juvenile Division.  BCAS was founded in 1996 to provide educational opportunities to students from 5th to 12th grade who, for various reasons, require a non-traditional school setting.  The BCAS mission is, in part, to "allow students to achieve their highest potential as they grow to become competent, caring and confident individuals" following the BCAS creed "to become the persons we were created to be, using the gifts we have been given, to serve rather than to be served."

In addition to the traditional classroom, programs include after-school tutoring, on-staff mental health professionals, weekly community partnership activities, job shadowing opportunities, family dynamics classes, substance abuse prevention classes, a summer school program, a mentoring program and partnerships with a multitude of community organizations.

Students are referred to BCAS from public schools or juvenile court.  Credit recovery, behavior modification, and career development are primary disciplines offered at BCAS.

An individualized educational program is established for each student.  They also participate in PEACE - a character-building program - in addition to their traditional studies.  In February 2009, BCAS was identified by the Arkansas Department of Education, Division of Workforce Education for Career and Technical Education as one of the few pilot programs in alternative learning environments.  This funding provided for the establishment of a computer lab.  Current enrollment is 110 students.

The school is supported through grant funding and financial support from local schools and the community.  The school has 18 full-time and three part-time professionals providing instructional, counseling and support services. All teachers at the school are certified with traditional or non-traditional licenses, says Director Cheryl Green.

In September 2003, the Baxter County Alternative School was awarded the prestigious "Juvenile Justice Program of the Year" award for the State of Arkansas from the Arkansas Coalition for Juvenile Justice.

If you are interested in volunteering, contact Baxter County Juvenile Services at 425-3840 or fill out a volunteer application here.