Welcome to the Oriole Academy web page!

"Because of its unwieldy body and disproportionately small wing size, scientists studying ærodynamics once stated that, technically, the bumblebee should be incapable of flying.

And yet fly it does.

Many people, including some school personnel, believe that attempting to train and educate at-risk kids is a waste of time because "they will never amount to much anyway." At times, even some dedicated educators, counselors, and social workers feel helpless and inadequate in reaching the at-risk population due to lack of resources, funding shortfalls, insufficient training, or other impediments to providing appropriate services. Many at-risk kids, with the help of committed professionals, do still learn to fly despite the great weights they often carry with them." (http:www.atriskeducation.net)

Hartford Union High School feels strongly that alternative education is an important part of a comprehensive high school. The 2004-2005 school year saw the begining of the Oriole Academy. Thanks to corporate donations and a supportive school board, administration, and staff we were able to offer a program which consisted of one part-time teacher and one part-time paraprofessional for a three hour session. In the spring of 2005, we applied for and recieved the Alternative Education Program Grant for the next five years. This grant allowed Oriole Academy to blossom into both a morning and afternoon session with two full time-teachers.

We are looking forward to many years of providing a program which will allow our at-risk population to fly into their future with a Hartford Union HIgh School diploma.