The Alternative High School Initiative launched a Place-Based Partnership with the city of Indianapolis, Indiana in 2007, and with Nashville, Tennessee and Newark, New Jersey in 2008. Through the Place-Based Partnership initiative, each of the three cities are developing new, student-centered high schools that ensure that all young people, particularly those for whom traditional school settings have not been successful, have the opportunity to graduate and achieve success in college, work, and life.

Since completing site selection in early May, 2008, AHSI has provided deep exposure for the Nashville and Newark teams to AHSI models available for replication, through school site visits, participation in summer institutes, and conference calls. Recent AHSI efforts in Indianapolis have focused on supporting site learning and adaptation of AHSI models, as well as broadening local partnerships for college access and wraparound support services. YouthBuild Indianapolis opened its doors in April 2008; five Diploma Plus schools opened in four Indianapolis school districts in August 2008; and the Indy Met Big Picture opened two new schools in August 2008.

Across all three sites, AHSI is tracking and supporting numerous aspects of development of the local partnerships, providing facilitation for the site teams, and identifying and following up or monitoring policy issues as they arise.

• Click here to view a brief presentation for more information about each site and cross-cutting activities: AHSI Place-Based Partnerships.
• Click here to view additional information about AHSI Place-Based Partnerships on the National League of Cities’ web site.
• Click here to learn about the background on AHSI Place-Based Partnerships.

Place-Based Partnership Sites (Current Projects)

• Indianapolis, IN
• Nashville, TN
• Newark, NJ

Supporting Documents

• AHSI Place-Based Partnerships
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