Affiliated Alternatives has been designated as a "National Demonstration Site" by Accelerated Schools PLUS (Powerful Learning-Unlimited Success). The Accelerated Schools Project (ASP) promotes positive change and supports school communities as they endeavor to create for themselves and their children the dream schools they imagine and deserve.

Affiliated Alternatives joins five other schools nation-wide as schools which demonstrate excellence in teaching and learning as well as an ongoing commitment to reflective practice and continuous improvement while implementing the Accelerated Schools PLUS process. The Affiliated Alternatives programs — SAPAR, AERO, Work & Learn and Cluster, have implemented this model since 1997. ASP has worked with over 1,600 schools nationwide, but only six have received this select acknowledgement.

Selection as a "demonstration school" is a competitive process. The final selection, completed in May of 2005, was made by a team of practitioners and University-based staff after conducting extensive visits to each school site, and an analysis of the school's academic growth documented over a three year period.

Says Principal Anne Fischer, "Accelerated Schools Plus builds on the philosophy that all students, especially those from historically marginalized backgrounds, deserve the enriched and accelerated instruction that has traditionally been reserved for students in gifted and talented programs." AS-PLUS provides staff development to support improved instruction that accelerates student learning while also addressing school governance in a way that builds community involvement and ownership.

The goal of AS-Plus is to create powerful learning opportunities for all students. By building on the strengths of each student, the school uses the best of what we know about teaching and learning to accelerate the learning, enhance the engagement of all learners.

This award was created to align with the US Department of Education Federal No Child Left Behind Act. Its purpose is to share, inspire and celebrate excellence, with the overall mission in mind: to accelerate the learning and achievement of all learners.