Al Kennedy High School

Mission

"Al Kennedy High School engages students in authentic, cooperative learning focused on connections between self, school, community and the world."


While Outdoor Youth Connections rarely awards out-of-state grants, we were inspired by its mission and couldn't resist making an exception for Al Kennedy Alternative High School in Cottage Grove, Oregon.


The school serves 81 students, most who struggled to "fit into" the traditional high school routine. The curriculum emphasizes sustainable crops, ecological awareness, community involvement and the thread of social responsibility that links them. Lessons are often outdoors where students grow community gardens (donating their harvests), restore wetlands, participate in sustainable forestry, build trails, raise salmon, plant trees, count fish, keep bees, and share their experiences with elementary students.


OYC awarded an unprecedented grant of $2,500 for equipment so that Al Kennedy can offer over-night wilderness experiences to their program.