School Overview

At Daylight/Twilight Alternative High School we strive to offer students a "last, best" opportunity for quality instruction and learning in an environment that is both nurturing and demanding. While we understand that many of our students have not been successful in traditional school settings, we consistently challenge them to reach their academic and personal potentials through focused effort, diligent effort, and open communication with staff, administration, peers, and community partners. We see each of our students as improving their station in life through the Daylight/Twilight experience.

Selection of appropriate curriculum and consistent, well-directed instruction are the basic principles around which all decisions regarding the academic and personal well-being of students revolves. We are guided by a philosophy that allows us to cater to the unique needs of over age, under credited students, while attempting to maximize teaching and learning. Belief in the ability of our students and staff to work together in order to achieve our goal of offering a quality education to all students regardless of previous failures drive our decisions at Daylight/Twilight Alternative High School. The school takes away traditional obstacles and supports students in finishing school, making success possible for students who have gotten sidetracked but want to finish high school.

Daylight/Twilight Alternative High School is structured on a 30/60 day cycle.  Our 30/60 day cycle gives students who are enrolled in school for a full day an opportunity to earn 15 high school graduation credits every 60 days.  In order to be successful in school and in our 30 day cycle it is imperative that all students meet the state mandated attendance requirements and attend school and class daily. 

The three distinct programs that make up Daylight/Twilight High School are:

• Daylight Program: This program is for students ages 16-20 years old. The school day for these students is 7:30a.m. – 2:00 p.m. The school operates in 30-day sessions and students take one core course 4 hours a day for 30 days.  In addition to the 4 hour 30-day course students are scheduled for a 2 hour 60-day elective course.  With this format students have the ability to earn 15 high school credits every 60 days. 

• Credit Recovery:   This program is open to all students and will operate from 2:15pm-4:15pm three days a week.   During a two-hour session over six weeks students are provided an opportunity to make up failed courses through on-line instruction.

• Twilight Program: This program is open to students 21 years old of age and older and will operate three days a week from 4:00p.m. – 8:00p.m. The school schedule is designed to accommodate a diverse group of adults who are employed full-time, part-time and/or are parents.

Daylight/Twilight Alternative High School offers all of the required core subjects and, working through Option II, students are able to receive credits through on-line instruction.  Daylight/Twilight Alternative High School offers many career courses and programs such as:  Cosmetology, Culinary Arts, TV Production, Engineering, Business and Computers.  Many of our students who enroll and complete all components of the career courses will be eligible for state and nationally recognized certificates.  Daylight/Twilight High School students who wish to participate in a varsity sport do so through Trenton's other high school, Trenton Central.

The student body is varied: 25% of the students at Daylight/Twilight Alternative High School were not able to manage the demands of a traditional high school. For some the day was too long, required too many changes, provided too many opportunities to cut class, all of which kept students from staying on track. More than 25% of the students are young women who have a child and cannot manage a traditional high school schedule because of work and/or caring for their child. Additionally, 40% of the students have dropped out of traditional programs for various reasons, including lack of parent involvement, drug use, incarceration, and being over aged and under credited. Daylight/Twilight Alternative High School enables students who have stumbled academically an opportunity to regain their footing and through hard work, support and guidance these students will be able to earn their high school diploma.