Ballou STAY HS

Ballou STAY (School to Aid Youth) High School, located in the Congress Heights neighborhood of Washington, D.C., is a specialized alternative high school operating under the District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS) system. Unlike traditional secondary schools, Ballou STAY is designed specifically to support students who have dropped out, are over-age for their grade level, or are seeking a non-traditional path to graduation. The school focuses on providing a flexible learning environment that allows students to earn their high school diploma or prepare for the GED, tailoring its academic approach to meet the diverse needs of adult and non-traditional learners.

Beyond its core academic mission, the school emphasizes workforce development and career readiness to help its students transition into post-secondary success. By offering a blend of credit recovery programs, vocational training, and supportive social-emotional services, Ballou STAY aims to re-engage students who may have faced obstacles in the conventional school system. The institution serves as a critical community resource in Southeast D.C., working to remove barriers to education and providing a second chance for students to achieve their academic and professional goals in a dedicated, supportive setting.