Education and Career Preparation Programs

Boston Public Schools Alternative High School

The Alternative High School at El Centro del Cardenal exists to help out-of-school and high risk youth who did not thrive in the public school system earn credits toward their high school diploma and advance to post-secondary education and to a career. Students are generally between the ages of 14 and 21. These youth also may be court involved, youth with other law enforcement referrals, youth residing in Boston Public Housing developments, or youth in the custody of the Department of Social Services.

For more information about El Centro del Cardenal's Boston Public Schools Alternative High School program, call 617-542-9292.

Career Pathways

The Career Pathways program supports both youth and adult programs with next step options through career exploration, internships, job shadowing opportunities, and employment. It may also include individual case management.

Career Pathways is a program of Catholic Charities El Centro del Cardenal. For more information, call 617-542-9292.

Diploma Enhancement

The Diploma Enhancement program is a competency-based diploma initiative for those involved in the BPS Alternative High School and the GED program. Each student develops a portfolio of his or her best work for presentation to a panel as one of their graduation requirements. Students also are placed in after-school internships and are required to enroll and pass one college course.

Diploma Enhancement is a program of Catholic Charities El Centro del Cardenal. For more information, call 617-542-9292.

Education and Parenting Skills Center

The Education and Parenting Skills Center is an alternative education program designed to meet the unique needs of pregnant and parenting adolescents who have dropped out of school. The program prepares individuals to attain a GED and offers parenting, life-skills, and career development groups. The center also provides a full-time Young Parent GED program. The Education and Parenting Skills Center is a collaborative effort of Catholic Charities North and the Department of Transitional Assistance/Employment Services Program and serves 40-50 students each year.

For more information about the Education and Parenting Skills Center, call 781-593-2312.

Pa'lante (Youth GED)/English and Spanish GED

The GED program at El Centro del Cardenal is a bilingual alternative education program that prepares out-of-school Latino and other minority youth between the ages of 16 and 21 for the high school equivalency or GED exam. The program helps students develop career goals and employment skills in an environment that is culturally and personally affirming.

For more information about the Pa'lante GED program, call 617-542-9292.

Teenstart

Teenstart is a program for out-of-school youth that addresses their needs for education and career development. This comprehensive program offers a sequence of three class levels – adult basic education, pre-GED and GED – as well as academic remediation, GED diploma preparation, and life/employment skills training. Teenstart, which enrolls approximately 70 students annually, is a collaborative effort of Catholic Charities North, Operation Bootstrap, and the Department of Education.

Teenstart is a program of Catholic Charities North. For more information, call 781-593-2312.

Youth Works

Youth Works is a career and educational preparation center serving teens and young adults ages 16-21. The program serves the most high-risk, out-of-school youth and enrolls 20 students each year. Youth Works connects students to job training programs, post-secondary education, and employment through intensive case management, small GED classroom instruction, and computer skills development. The program provides personalized career counseling, mentoring, support services and referrals, and introduces youth to careers through summer employment, work-readiness workshops, and guest speakers. Participants also are able to explore and develop key life skills for contributing to their family, community, and workplace.

For more information about the Youth Works program at Catholic Charities North, call 781-593-2312.