SALT High School honored by Minnesota Association of Alternative Schools

March 10, 2011 - PRLog -- Volunteers of America-Minnesota today announced that its Service Adventure Leadership (SALT) High School was presented with the “Program of the Year” award by the Minnesota Association of Alternative Schools (MAAP) for its inspirational curriculum, structure, outreach, outcomes, and innovation.

SALT High School is a Minneapolis Public Schools specialty school, operated by Volunteers of America-Minnesota, serving grades 10 to 12, which features an experiential and environmental themed program that focuses on leadership development and community-based service learning. The school seeks to challenge student norms, stretch their perception of their own capabilities, and bring those revelations to their academic lives. What makes SALT distinctive is the program’s emphasis on using outdoor “wilderness” experiences, such as extended hiking and dog-sledding trips, among other opportunities, to leverage academic improvement with inner city students who typically don’t have access such experiences.

“We are very proud to receive this recognition from our peers in alternative schools across the state,” reports Justin Testerman, Director of Educational Programs for Volunteers of America-Minnesota. “The staff of SALT have worked tirelessly over the last three years to create a rigorous school that re-engages youth in their education through adventure-based experiential learning opportunities. This award is a real validation of their hard work.”

Volunteers of America-Minnesota
Volunteers of America–Minnesota is a nonprofit organization founded in 1896 which offers a wide variety of services for more than 26,500 children, adolescents and their families, older adults, students, persons with disabilities and special needs, and adults completing rehabilitation programs each year. It is one of the oldest, largest and most comprehensive human service organizations in the state and has more than 60 programs, 900 employees and 13,600 volunteers, and a rich history of developing innovative programs to meet emerging social issues. Visit us at: http://www.voamn.org.