GAP School

About

Guadalupe Alternative Programs, located on the West Side of Saint Paul, was founded in 1967 to provide an educational alternative for youth at-risk of school failure. Today GAP serves more than 150 youth ages 16-24 annually, providing education and training. At GAP, we offer at-risk adolescents a safe, structured environment in which to learn and grow. With a significantly lower staff-to-student ratio than mainstream public schools, our teachers develop strong personal relationships with GAP students that help us identify and address each individual’s unique needs. Students within GAP’s Alternative Senior High School and Adult Basic Education programs are eligible to enroll in our YouthBuild AmeriCorps program. These training programs provide a career pathway through alternative education and job training. While earning a high school diploma, participants acquire the skills and training that will position them for a successful career in healthcare or construction. GAP’s suite of culturally appropriate, community-based educational services help diverse, economically disadvantaged youth overcome the realities of their backgrounds and greatly improve their economic and occupational outcomes. The foundation of our approach is that relationships are the key to change. GAP’s program activities, based on strong relationships and trust, holistically ensure our students are cognitively, socially, and emotionally equipped to succeed in school and life. We provide individualized education that attends to the social-emotional needs of students, including mental health services and basic needs resources such as meals, job placement, and transportation.