HASP

What is HASP?

Overview

 

Mission

HASP promotes a sense of family and a philosophy of “voluntary involvement.” Through small classes, regular Community Meetings, and a student-run court (modeled after restorative justice programs), HASP seeks to provide a foundation of engagement, commitment, and an enriched education for every child. Students are challenged to realize their highest potential in a small-community atmosphere that emphasizes learning and achieving success. 

History

The Hastings Alternative School Program (HASP) was born in 1985 from a concept drafted by a number of high school staff members. In the spring of 1985, the Hastings School district initiated the development of the concept, thus HASP became a reality in September 1985 with 17 eleventh grade students. In September 1986, HASP expanded to include a twelfth grade component, and in 1988, a tenth grade level was introduced. Over the years, HASP has changed to meet the needs of the different students. In fact, it is estimated that over five hundred students have been a part of HASP.

Practice

• Academics: Because of the intimate learning environment (there are never more than ten students in an HASP class) HASP classes are built around skills and interests that are tailored to the students in the class. The goal is to ensure everyone is college and career ready, but the small groups allow opportunities for creative instruction that couldn’t be possible in larger classes.
• Cooperative Learning: HASP puts forth this successful learning method to promote both a sense of cooperation and trust.
• Communication Skills: HASP prides itself on face-to-face communication; the HASP community promotes communication with parents, students, and staff on an ongoing basis.
• Social Emotional Learning: HASP promotes a nurturing environment which deals with the whole individual.
• Counseling: HASP counsels students via the guidance counselors, social worker, and school psychologist. In addition, students work with a variety of adult mentors.
• Life Skills: HASP engages students in a Life Skills curriculum to prepare students for post high school planning and life-long learning.
• Bi-Monthly Community Meetings: HASP students and staff meet together bi-monthly to discuss different issues, concerns and school happenings.
• Peer Review: Modeled after restorative justice programs, the HASP Peer Review component provides students with an opportunity to support each other as they negotiate and are held accountable for the expectations and responsibilities of the traditional school environment.
• Field Trips: HASP journeys on different trips, four to five times per year to enhance our academic/social environment.

To apply to HASP, please complete the following application:

HASP Application for Admission (Grades 10-12)

More about HASP can be found by clicking on the resources below: 

1) Digital copy of our HASP Brochure.

2) Check out the short video that the 2017 HASP Seniors made. The video won “Honorable Mention” in the 2017 National Alternative Education Association video contest! It is a great description of what HASP is all about! Click here to view the video!

3) In November of 2016 members of HASP presented the program to the Tri-States committee as part of accreditation. This presentation gives a nice overview of the program. Click here to view a pdf of the presentation.

4) HASP was featured in the March 2015 issue of Westchester Magazine. Click here to read the article.

5) Click here to read other recent newspaper articles about HASP.

6) To watch the 2024 HASP Graduation ceremony (student speeches!), click here.