The Youth Opportunity (YO!) Academy opened its doors at 1510 W. Lafayette Avenue for the first time August 2006 in partnership with Baltimore City Public Schools, as an alternative high school satellite in the Alternative Options Program. The YO! Academy serves students, who are performing below grade-level, may have special-needs or youth who have not been successful in traditional school environments.

In addition to a well-rounded faculty, YO! Baltimore provides a caring adult, case manager to support the attendance and academic performance of YO! Academy students. The YO! Academy was designed to serve 120 students. It offers creative programming, individualized schedules, experiential service-learning opportunities, field trips, creative after-school programming, as well as career-related education, non-paid and paid work experience and performance incentives.

YO! Academy Mission

The mission of the YO! Academy is to prepare and empower students to become citizens and leaders with integrity, who function successfully in institutions of higher learning, the workplace and in society, through these expectations:

Commitment to life-long learning
Social awareness and responsibility
Respect for our community, environment and others.

YO! Academy Staff and Contact Info

For more information on the YO! Academy, contact Program Manager Rhonda Alexander at
410-962-1905/1906 or ralexander@bcps.k12.md.us.

What you can expect from YO!

You can expect to receive encouragement and respectful, courteous treatment as a young adult.
You can expect that we will keep our agreements and work to help you get the support you need to build a successful life as an adult.
Help entering college or career skills training programs
Job readiness training and job placement assistance.
A safe learning environment
Some fun incentives for keeping your agreements and achieving your personal goals.

What we expect from YOU….

Believe in yourself and keep a positive attitude
Come to school prepared to work and learn
Ask your advocate for school supplies if you need them
Academic honesty– you can ask your instructor and/or advocate for a tutor or special support if you are failing behind in school. It will not help you to take credit for the work of others. You are ultimately cheating yourself.
Please no littering or loitering. They diminish the quality and safety of our environment.
To not sell anything during school hours unless you are working in the school store.
To follow proper late arrival and early dismissal procedures
To leave the restrooms clean and to report any sanitation problems immediately to the school office
To follow the Youth Opportunity Academy dress code
To not use cell phones, I-pods, or any other electronic device during classroom hours
To respect yourself and others
To use respectful, appropriate language
To take care of school property and materials
To arrive on time everyday

The YO! Academy Dress Code

We support student success in school and in their chosen career area by exposing students to area industries through guest speakers, career tours, job shadowing, internships, and summer jobs.

Students are required to wear a uniform consisting of khaki pants/skirt and a polo or oxford style shirt.

Students are required to participate in “Working Wednesdays.” Students are expected to wear business attire. Gentlemen should wear a button down shirt and tie. Ladies should wear a nice skirt or slacks with a button down shirt. If students need assistance in obtaining clothes advocates will provide support.