When asked how students can succeed in Alternative Education, students responded by saying things like:

“Just ask for help.”

“...[I]t’s your own journey, not anyone else’s, so pace yourself.”

In order to expect students to ask for help when they need it, you need to have strong relationships based in trust and whakawhanaungatanga (extended family-like environment), as well as systems in place to provide support with basic necessities, including mental health, housing, transportation, and much more.

As one school leader said:

“When children have a little bit of agency and support, and a little bit of time to think about things, they can realize what they need to do.”