Open Doors

The NWESD Open Doors Youth Reengagement Program provides a safe and encouraging environment where students can complete high school, obtain their GED, or retrieve credits.

Program Detail

What is the Open Doors program?

The Open Doors Re-Engagement Program at ESD 189 provides students an alternative pathway towards earning their GED or High School diploma, along with the opportunity to enhance personal skills in a variety of academic areas.

The Open Doors team works closely with students to ensure academic goals are being met, as well as assisting with career and college readiness skills. Our staff monitors each student’s progress regularly and adjusts lessons accordingly.

We offer:

GED preparation through the GED Pathway.
High school credits using digital curriculum for those participating in the Diploma Pathway program.
Flexible learning plans that students complete at their own pace.
Personalized support from knowledgeable staff.
Career and college readiness.
Direct referral to free counseling.

Who qualifies for Open Doors?

To receive assistance, students must meet all the following criteria:

Be at least 16 years of age but under 21 by September 1 of the current school year.
Be credit deficient.
Reside within the boundaries of one of the OSPI-approved Open Doors consortium member school districts.

Attendance Requirements:

Minimum of two hours of onsite, face-to-face staff interaction, per week.
Weekly status checks that include interaction with staff via phone, email, text, skype, as well as face-to face.

Pathways

Diploma Pathway

The Diploma Pathway offers students:

The option to pursue a District Diploma (explore waivers and alternative pathways).
A way to earn 0.5 credits per course using a digital curriculum.
Opportunities to satisfy district-specific graduation requirements.
Fulfillment of Graduation Pathway requirements.
Guidance for completing High School and Beyond Plan Requirements.

GED Pathway

The GED Pathway offers students:

The option to focus on one subject at a time.
Individualized curriculum.
Practice tests.
Official GED tests at no cost.
Opportunities to test out of classes.
Career and College assistance during and after GED studies.

Next Steps

Next Steps

1. If the student meets the Enrollment Requirements and can adhere to the Attendance Requirements, an Open Doors Referral Form can be filled out.

2. Referral Forms must be completed before you apply.

If you live within the Marysville School District, complete this referral form: 24-25_ReferralForm_MarysvilleOD
If you live within one of these school districts, Anacortes, Burlington-Edison, Concrete, La Conner, Mount Vernon, or Sedro-Woolley, complete this referral form: 24-25_ReferralForm_SkagitOD

3. Return the completed Referral Form to the Open Doors email on the bottom of the form.

4. The Open Doors Representative from that site will contact you to set up a meeting to complete the Open Doors application.

SKAGIT OPEN DOORS students only: please complete the Intake Agreement Open Doors and bring with you when you meet with the Skagit Open Doors staff.

Resources

Open Doors Information:

NWESD Programs that collaborate with Open Doors:

Educational Advocates

Student Assistance Professional – Skagit Open Doors

Behavioral Health and Prevention Resources for Island, Skagit, Snohomish and Whatcom Counties with information on:

Food Banks, Transportation, Jobs, and Community Resources for help with addiction, homelessness and mental health.

Student Assistance Professional

The NWESD provides an on-site Student Assistance Professional that provides both school-wide education and activities, as well as targeted 1:1 and small group interventions.

They also provide referrals to services for students who need more support than can be provided in a school setting.

Educational Advocate

Educational Advocates expand support and coordination for youth transitioning out of the juvenile justice facilities and re-entering their community.

Target outcomes include High School Diploma, GED, return and engage in school, enroll in post-secondary education, or job training programs and employment.