Curriculum and Reengagement in Education (CARE) Schools provide alternative educational settings for secondary students who struggle with or have disengaged from mainstream education. CARE schools offer a modified curriculum and specialised programs to address literacy, numeracy, and wellbeing needs. These schools have doubled in number and quadrupled in enrolments since 2015. Independent CARE schools play a crucial role in re-engaging long-term disengaged students, offering flexible learning structures, vocational education, and individualised support. They provide a safe, caring environment with high staff-to-student ratios, small class sizes, and effective engagement strategies to help students transition back to education and achieve their goals.
Providing students with the opportunity to determine their own goals, focusing on interests, abilities, and strengths, results in engaged learning and participation in relevant projects. For some students, enrolling in an Independent CARE school may be their last chance to complete their education and change trajectory.
The importance of CARE schools is vividly highlighted through the voices and experiences of students who have found solace and success within these settings. Many students express feeling unseen and unheard in mainstream schools, often battling mental health issues, anxiety, and family disruptions. They struggle to connect academically and emotionally, feeling left behind by traditional educational settings. However, CARE schools transform these students’ lives by offering a supportive and nurturing environment. The turning point for many is encountering teachers who truly see them and who genuinely believe in their potential. These relationships, built on trust, care, and consistency, provide the foundation for students to rebuild their confidence and academic journey.
The impact of CARE schools is echoed in the words of the students themselves:
“I was not living, I was just surviving.”
“Getting back up is what makes you unstoppable.”
“CARE school gave me a voice, I matter.”
These testimonies underscore the critical role of CARE schools in empowering students to reclaim their education and their futures.
Looking for a Curriculum and Reengagement in Education School?
AISWA member CARE Schools are listed in the Search for a School directory.
Go to: 'The Indie School', Midland