The Next Step is a model for other schools working with a diverse immigrant population. Each student at The Next Step has his or her own goals. Some students are building basic literacy in their native language or working to improve their English fluency and grammar. Some are working toward their General Education Diploma (GED) so they can get the necessary credentials in order to find employment to support themselves and their families. Others are gaining the skills they need to further their education or move on to vocational training or secondary education.

Student Body

The Next Step students are recent immigrants or young people who were born or grew up in the United States, but have found it difficult to achieve success in traditional public schools. For many students, personal challenges including becoming a teenage parent, the need to work to support themselves or their families, the lack of a stable home, have made it impossible for them to stay in public school. Other students have language and literacy barriers that keep them from understanding and participating in traditional classroom settings.

Instructional Program

The Next Step provides a full-time academic program that uses a flexible, practical, individualized curriculum designed around students' needs. The school has one teacher for every eight students, and computers for students use in every classroom. Students attend five and a half hours of instruction a day in Basic Literacy, English, English as a Second Language, Math, GED preparation, Social Studies, Science, Life Skills, Computers, Parenting, and Reproductive Health. As mastery of basic skills in one's native language is essential to success in learning English, we also conduct Literacy and Social Studies Classes in Spanish.

Job Skills

Through The Next Step's Work Experience Program, students learn about the world of work and participate in weekly internships in a variety of workspaces. These internships often lead to full or part-time employment for The Next Step students.

Counseling & Social Services

All students receive comprehensive case management support to address the many issues in their lives that challenge their ability to attend school. In addition, one third of The Next Step's current student body of 72 students are teen parents who need extra support and attention to overcome the obstacles that have prevented them from continuing their education. The school maintains funds for emergency babysitting, and stipends fro teen parents to help defray the costs of childcare.

The Next Step also works closely with the Teen Parent Support Program of the Latin American Youth Center to provide the social service case management and crisis counseling that many young people need to stay in school. Through the Latin American Youth Center, students have access to a wide range of programs, from drug counseling , after-school activities, employment at Ben & Jerry's, to residential placement.

The Next Step recognizes that there are many reasons why it is difficult for young people to stay in school. The dedicated teachers and staff work to help students deal with these challenges and acquire the skills and knowledge they will need to become productive adults, effective parents, and self-sufficient members of their communities.

For more information or to make a referral contact:

Susan Evans, Principal
1419 Columbia Road, NW
Washington, DC 20009
Tel (202) 319-2248 Fax (202) 332-0398
su@layc-dc.org

Staff:

Julie Meyer
Executive Director
(202) 319-0431
julie@layc-dc.org

Susan Evans
Principal
(202) 319-2248
su@layc-dc.org

Eimy Arias
Administrative Assistant/Registrar
(202) 319-2242
eimy@layc-dc.org

Art Hoene
Controller
(202) 319-2277
art@layc-dc.org

Maria Nazario
Counselor
(202) 319-2241
nazario@layc-dc.org

Maribel Ochoa
Office Manager
(202) 319-2249
maribel@layc-dc.org

Lita Trejo
Counselor
(202) 518-3531
lita@layc-dc.org

Juan Carlos Martinez
Head of Teacher
(202) 319-2282
juancarlos@layc-dc.org

Claudia Barrios
Teacher
(202) 319-2249
cmbarrios@layc-dc.org

Jill Bryson
Teacher
(202) 319-2240
jill@layc-dc.org

Claire Donahue
Teacher
(202) 319-2244
claire@layc-dc.org

Marcelo Espinoza
Teacher
(202) 319-2249
marcelo@layc-dc.org

Frehiwot Gebrehiwot
Teacher
(202) 319-2249
frehiwot@layc-dc.org

William Hamilton
Teacher
(202) 319-2245
william@layc-dc.org

Jose Mundo
Teacher
(202) 319-2249
mundo@layc-dc.org

Micah Nelson
Transitions Coordinator
(202) 319-2245
micah@layc-dc.org

Glory Tobiason
Teacher
(202) 319-2240
glory@layc-dc.org

Josue Torres
Teacher
(202) 319-2249
josue@layc-dc.org

Rocio Tyler
Teacher
(202) 319-2244
rocio@layc-dc.org

The Next Step Public Charter School was founded by the Latin American Youth Center in 1996.