Youth Chance, or YCHS, is a small alternative high school for "at-risk" youth in San Francisco, California

California

California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...

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Overview and history

It was founded in 1977 and is run and operated by the YMCA. The school accepts students ages 15 to 19 years old with a focus on students that have dropped out from other schools and that have subsequently been referred by social service agencies, family members or the students themselves. .
The school works with a diverse student population, by teaching them the necessary academic skills to pass the GED

GED

General Educational Development tests are a group of five subject tests which, when passed, certify that the taker has American or Canadian high school-level academic skills...

 and/or CHSPE(California High School Equivalency Exam). The majority of the student body (97%) are students of color and all of our students qualify for free or reduced lunch. Most students pass the GED, with some finding success on the CHSPE. Many go directly into the workforce, enroll in a training programs for various trades, or possibly attend San Francisco City College.

Youth Chance High School operates through the Embarcadero YMCA

YMCA

The Young Men's Christian Association is a worldwide organization of more than 45 million members from 125 national federations affiliated through the World Alliance of YMCAs...

 and is located at that branch in San Francisco's Financial District at 169 Steuart Street. The current Youth Chance Staff includes Principal Chris Chatmon, School Counselor Gina Young and Elective Teacher/ YMCA Administrative Services Director Geri Feldman.