Guadalupe Alternative Programs

Located in the WestSide of Saint Paul, GAP School serves approximately 200 youth and young adults (ages 16-24) annually through education and enrichment; training that leads to employment; and social and emotional supports. 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. 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. GAP offers a State Approved Alternative High School accredited through MNSAA which serves grades 9-12 and emphasizes the acquisition of strong basic academic skills that promote college and career readiness. Leadership development and community service learning are also core components of the program. GAP School's young adult programming offers adult basic education for ages 18-24, with the opportunity to earn a high school diploma and an industry recognized certificate in a career pathway through a full day school program. Instruction in the core content areas of reading, writing, mathematics, speaking, English Language Acquisition as well as courses in citizenship, civics, basic technology skills, employability skills, health literacy, study skills, financial literacy are offered. The ABE Program is a member of the St. Paul Literacy Consortium and a Youthbuild partner. After more than a decade of close collaboration, Guadalupe Alternative Programs and Change Inc. determined that the most effective way to move forward would be to merge, adopting Change Inc. for the name of the organization with GAP School being retained as the name for our alternative high school and associated programs in Saint Paul.