Where Change Happens
Sojourn High School
Essex County Juvenile Detention Center
80 Duryea Street. Newark, NJ 07103
About Us
“The Essex County Juvenile Detention Center has an 8,000-book library on site and is the only detention facility in the state to offer a full 6½ hour school day. Sojourn High School is an alternative education program designed to serve both classified and non-classified at-risk students. Established in 1997, the program provides students with an alternative to traditional educational experience and maintains a low student to staff ratio. Sojourn High School consists of middle and high school students who have been pre-adjudicated, exhibit chronic discipline problems, and are in danger of not graduating.
Students earn credits toward graduation by documenting skills demonstrated and proficiencies mastered. The SHS curriculum is based on the NJ Core Curriculum Content Standards and the student’s Individual Program Plan or Individual Educational Program. The school considers the interests, specific skills and life goals of all students in the instructional design.”
“Your journey has not been easy, but it has shaped you into the strong, capable individual that you are today.
You have demonstrated the power of determination, you have shown that obstacles aren’t roadblocks, but rather steppingstones to greater heights.”
Dr. Latee Walton-McCleod
You have demonstrated the power of determination, you have shown that obstacles aren’t roadblocks, but rather steppingstones to greater heights.”
Dr. Latee Walton-McCleod
Student Testimonials
“Thank you to my ... teachers and coaches who have helped me achieve this benchmark of graduating from high school. It’s been a long journey ... and it wasn’t until I ... learned [some] important lessons that I became serious about my education during sophomore year. Although this journey may be ending for some, for me it represents a new beginning and I am going to remain focused and achieve my goals.”
R.B.
Atlantic City High School
D.R., who earned his diploma from the state of New Jersey – “I want to thank ...the officers, teachers and administrators for pushing me towards greatness. My story is one of overcoming. Before I came here, I didn’t think I would graduate, but you all encouraged me to do otherwise. Once I got here and became focused on my studies and realized I could do it, I wanted to graduate ... I have a strong mind and I never gave up.”
D.R.
State of New Jersey
“...I should have been using the smarts I was given for good, instead of what I’ve done to get here. Thank you to everyone who has helped me and when I go home, .... I’m changing my life around and I’m going to make everyone proud and prove everyone wrong. I’m not going to dwell on my past I’m going to focus on my future.”
A.R.
Union High School
“Congratulations to my fellow graduates, I am happy for us. Now that I am a high school graduate, I feel that the education I received will help me achieve something greater for my life. I am very hopeful for my future, and I must thank [those] who helped me and supported me when times were rough.”
J.L.
John F. Kennedy High School
“...I’ve been through a lot of rough times in my life, but my message to myself is that as long as I remain true to myself, I will be able to succeed and be prepared for whatever happens during the rest of my life. To my fellow graduates, never give up on yourself ...”
B.S.
Passaic County Technical Institute
Mr. Michael D'Argenio
Principal
(973) 849-0999
m.d’argenio@eresc.com
Ms. Takesha Massey
Assistant Principal
(973) 849-1213
t.massey@eresc.com
Get in touch!
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