Right Track Academy

The Mount Vernon City School District Right Track Academy Program is uniquely designed to provide high school students who have demonstrated difficulty in a conventional secondary setting with an opportunity to recover missing credits and get back on track. The program integrates social-emotional learning and support services to help students manage stress, build resilience, and develop positive relationships. This is especially important for students facing anxiety or behavioral challenges. 

• Hybrid Feature – One of the distinctive features of the Right Track Academy is the hybrid learning model. The hybrid model provides students with the opportunity and flexibility to learn and accumulate credits from home or other locations while working. It also helps students who benefit more from working online. 
• Class Size and Capacity – RTA maintains small class sizes of 15–18 students, with a maximum of 80 students attending in person. This structure ensures personalized attention and a supportive learning environment. 
• Semester Schedule-The program is divided into two semesters. Semester 1 runs from September through the end of January of the following year followed by semester 2 from February through June. Courses are structured in semesters to allow students to accelerate at a faster pace than traditional high schools. 
• Program Hours – In order to meet NYS requirements for the number of hours in session, school hours are from 9:00 am-4:00 pm, Monday through Friday. 

Students eligible to participate in the program must meet the following criteria: 

• Be at least 16 years old. 
• Have earned between 11 and 15.5 credits, placing them within 5 credits of the twelfth-grade credit requirement. 
  Or 
• Need up to 4 classes to graduate in January of the year they start the program or need up to four classes to graduate in June if they start the program in January. 
  Or 
• Students experiencing extreme anxiety (as documented by a medical doctor) or those who exhibit extreme behavioral or social challenges that pose a threat to others or themselves. Students who meet this criterion will be offered an online option. 

Students who meet the eligibility criteria may be recommended for RTA placement twice per year academic year-at the end of the second and fourth marking periods. 

Step 1: Recommendation 

• A school counselor or administrator submits a formal recommendation for eligible students. 

Step 2: Review 

• The Principal and Support Team will review all submitted recommendations. 
• The recommending counselor and principal will be notified in writing of each student’s acceptance status. 

Step 3: Parent/Guardian Notification 

• Upon acceptance, a formal invitation letter is sent to the student’s parent or guardian. 
• The letter includes an invitation to attend a mandatory intake conference to discuss expectations and next steps.