Enrollment is through district referral.
Students are not enrolled directly by families. Placement at YEARRRN Academy is determined by each participating school district's Alternative Education Placement Committee, in accordance with Delaware Department of Education Regulation 611.
All participating school districts use a common referral packet and standardized documentation to ensure consistency in the placement process and compliance with the Delaware Department of Education's requirements (DDOE Regulation 616).
The referral & placement process
- Step 1
Referral Initiation
The process begins at the student's home school when administrators determine that a student may require placement in an alternative educational setting due to significant behavioral or disciplinary concerns. The school's discipline team completes the referral packet — including all required academic, behavioral, disciplinary, attendance, and intervention documentation — before submitting it to the home school district for review.
- Step 2
District Review
The district's Alternative Education Placement Committee reviews the referral to determine eligibility for placement in accordance with DDOE Regulation 611. For students identified with disabilities, placement decisions are made through the student's IEP Team.
- Step 3
Referral to YEARRRN Academy
Once the district determines a student is eligible for alternative placement, the completed referral packet and all supporting documentation are forwarded to YEARRRN Academy. Program staff verify eligibility, review the student's educational records, and initiate the enrollment process.
- Step 4
Intake & Individual Service Planning
YEARRRN Academy schedules an intake meeting with the student, parent or guardian, district representative, and program staff to review program expectations, transportation arrangements, attendance requirements, behavioral expectations, support services, and graduation goals. Staff then develop an Individual Service Plan identifying the interventions, supports, and goals needed for student success.
- Step 5
Enrollment & Ongoing Progress Monitoring
Following intake, the student begins enrollment at YEARRRN Academy. Staff continuously monitor academic achievement, attendance, behavioral progress, and social-emotional development through regular progress reviews, collaboration with families and the referring district, and ongoing revisions to the Individual Service Plan — promoting a successful transition back to the home school or completion of graduation requirements.
Who we serve
YEARRRN Academy serves students from the six participating New Castle County school districts who require an intensive, structured alternative educational setting because their needs cannot be effectively addressed in a traditional school environment. During the 2024–2025 school year, the Academy served approximately 150 students.
Students eligible for placement
- Students who demonstrate a need for intensive academic, behavioral, social-emotional, and counseling support that cannot be effectively provided in a traditional school setting.
- Students in grades 9 through 12 referred by a participating New Castle County school district. Students receiving special education services may be considered when the IEP Team determines placement is appropriate.
- Students whose behavior has resulted in expulsion, a recommendation for expulsion, or who are at imminent risk of expulsion, as determined by the referring district's Alternative Education Placement Committee and in accordance with Title 14, Section 4112 of the Delaware Code.
- Students transitioning from a DSCYF facility who require continued educational, behavioral, and transition support before returning to their home school, when recommended by the referring district's Alternative Education Placement Committee.
Students may not be eligible if they
- Have committed violent felony offenses that make them ineligible for placement under DDOE Regulation 611 or other applicable federal or state laws.
- Do not meet the eligibility criteria established by the referring school district's Alternative Education Placement Committee.
- Require specialized educational, medical, psychiatric, or therapeutic services that exceed the scope of services provided by YEARRRN Academy.
- Are referred for reasons unrelated to the significant behavioral, disciplinary, or educational concerns addressed through the Consortium Discipline Alternative Program.
Questions about a referral?
Families, school administrators, and district staff can reach our team here. Note that this form does not begin enrollment — referrals must come from the student's home school district.
District or school staff?
Contact our team to coordinate a referral packet, schedule an intake meeting, or arrange a visit to our Wilmington campus.