In 1977, the Paul Anderson Youth Home (PAYH) established its on-campus school. The PAYH has a Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) accredited High School.  Our school offers a wide range of classes and individualized tutoring to provide each student with academic options for their future. With a curriculum that is tailored to each student, we seek to “meet them where they are” and challenge them for the future.

Frequently Asked Questions About Our School

What curriculum is used?
What areas of the Paul Anderson Youth Home fall under the school?
What is the student / teacher ratio?
What is the training / background of the teachers?
Average class size?
How is a plan developed for each young man and what is it based on? 
What is the difference in the two academic tracts (GED and diploma) and how is that tract placement determined?
When and how is a young man eligible to enter the school?
What courses are available?
What grade level is the average boy when he enters school?
When is tutoring provided?
How is a boy's academic progress reported?
How many months a year does the school operate?
What non-academic classes are offered?
Outdoor Education Program (OEP)
Activities participated in?


What curriculum is used?
A number of different curriculums are used depending on the subjects being taught.  All curriculum is developed to support the individual needs of the students and prepare them for their future. 

Most of the core courses are supported by textbooks approved by the Deptartment of Education.  These include:

• English
• Math Science
• Social Studies
• Foreign Language
• Other courses and elective courses are developed by the school to meet the requirements of the Paul Anderson Youth Home or needs of the individual students:
• Biblical Studies, Music, Family Living, Mechanics and Technology, and First Responder

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What areas of the Paul Anderson Youth Home fall under the school?
The school is primarily responsible for helping implement the mental component of the Paul Anderson Youth Home.  This is accomplished by developing individualized curriculum for each student.  We strengthen each student in the areas of need to best prepare them for a successful future in the home, community, and work place.  The behaviors that are the focus of the mental component are:
 work ethic, fore thought, and spiritual growth.
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What is the student / teacher ratio?
8/1
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What is the training / background of the teachers?
All teachers are qualified to teach in their subject area either by a bachelors degree in that subject content or equivalent industry training and experience.  Three of our teachers have masters degrees.
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Average class size?
A third of our classes have greater than 9 students while the remaning classes have fewer than 9 students.
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How is a plan developed for each young man and what is it based on? 
We develop a specialized program of study for each young man.  It is based on the his past educational experience, grade performance levels, staff and parental input, and basic assessments performed prior to and after his acceptance into the Paul Anderson Youth Home program.
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What is the difference in the two academic tracts (GED and diploma) and how is that tract placement determined?
Since we work with 16-21 year olds, we often have young men come to us with a diploma or a GED.  If a young man has at least 10-12 “core” credits from another high school, he could be eligible for a high school diploma.  The tract the student takes is based on overall performance at the PAYH, staff and parental input, ability, and effort.  The focus is on preparation for the future so we spend a great deal of time on biblical studies, English, math, money management, speech and communication, and life skills which benefits all students.  Parents and staff see the benefits of a GED and support this decision if it is the best option for the young man.  A GED is accepted by all technical colleges and the majority of two year colleges.  If a young man wants to further his education, the only limiting factor is him. 
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When and how is a young man eligible to enter the school?
All of the young men are enrolled in school upon their acceptance into the Paul Anderson Youth Home family.  Biblical Studies, P.E., Memory Work, and Preliminaries are the first courses in which he will be enrolled.
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What courses are available?

• Advanced Mathematics
• Algebra I
• Algebra II
• American History
• Anatomy and Physiolgy
• Astronomy
• Biblical Studies
• Biology
• Botany
• Computer Applications
• Consumer Math
• Economic History
• Economics
• English 9th, 10th
• Entomology
• Family Living
• First Responder
• GED Prep.
• Geography
• Geometry
• Health
• Lab I Remediation
• Literature, American
• Literature, English
• Mechanics and Technology
• Money Management
• Music Appreciation
• Outdoor Education
• Physical Education
• Physical Science
• Plant Science
• Spanish
• Speech and Communication
• Weight Training

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What grade level is the average boy when he enters school?
The average young man comes to us as an eleventh grader but we have found that their level of performance in reading, writing, and math is typically four grade levels behind.  The Paul Anderson Youth Home individualizes the curriculum of each young man to meet him "where he is at" and close the academic gap.
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When is tutoring provided?
Tutoring is provided on an as needed basis which is dependent on the needs of the student.  Most tutoring sessions are one on one and can cover any subject.
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How is a boy's academic progress reported?
Progress reports are usually prepared quarterly in the form of a grade sheet that the parents receive.
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How many months a year does the school operate?
We operate on a twelve month “year around” school schedule.  We have three school semesters.  The summer semester is shorter in length much like a college summer semester.
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What non-academic classes are offered?

• Biblical Studies
• Family Living
• First Responder
• GED Preparation
• Lab I Remediation
• Mechanics and Technology
• Memory Work
• Music
• Outdoor Education

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Outdoor Education Program (OEP)
What is the objective of the program?
To reward and challenge young men who have excelled in the regular Paul Anderson Youth Home program.  The goal is to teach leadership and appreciation of God through outdoor adventure and education. 
Outdoor skills and experiences coupled with spiritual application is the focus of the program as we seek to replace negative habits with wholesome activities.

Activities participated in:

• Backpacking
• Camping
• Canoeing
• Climbing
• Cooking
• Fishing
• Hiking
• Historical Info.
• Land Navigation
• Plant and Animal Studies
• Wilderness First Aid

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