My Nonprofit Reviews

I was excited to join a team of people dedicated in bringing educational opportunities to underprivileged, at-risk, transitional adolescents. However, I became gravely disappointed by the staff's approach to the group of adolescents they "cater" to. First, their measures to "control" and stimulate student's compliance with school rules was through violence. Several times, I would witness them contain an outbreak in a violent manner when it could have been avoided. For me, shoving a student into the "cool down" room or throwing them on the floor is a petty way of containing outbreaks. The teachers, all but one, were a joke. For example, their math class was taught through assignment sheets with no instruction. I asked one of the students if he needed help and he said "yes". The 17 year old adolescent had very little math skills and when raising this issue to the staff, they snarled. Another student had a difficult time with reading comprehension. Again, I addressed the student's academic needs and I was looked down upon. Haven't statistics proven a decrease in a student's violent behavior with proper instruction, attention, care, and compassion? Apparently, for Olivecrest this fact is not cost effective.

A student's behavioral history obstructed the staff's perception and jeopardized a student's chance in constructing a life free of violence and academic achievements. At-risk youth, mentally ill youth, and transitional youth deserve stereotype-free educational opportunities!