Gap Year, Volunteer Programs, Travel, Internship, and Alternative Educational
Opportunities for High School Graduates

This is a list of sites that may be helpful for students who are looking for an alternate path following high school. These are different programs, some come at an expense to students/families, some have an application process, and none are endorsed by the Grafton School District. As with any program, GHS always recommends that parents/guardians and students research any potential opportunities or programs to ensure they are reputable, responsible, and have value, but also to ensure that they are a good fit for the student and family.

AmeriCorps or FEMA Corps – Over 80,000 Americans engage in volunteerism and service work ever year through Americorps. There are different programs available including NCCC, FEMA Corps, and VISTA. These programs are about 9-10 months in duration and they are completely free. These federally funded programs give students experience volunteering anywhere in the country. http://www.nationalservice.gov/programs/americorps  

City Year – (A division of AmeriCorps) Is an education focused non-profit organization that unites young people of all backgrounds with a year of full time service working with kids in an effort to keep them in school and on track for graduation. http://www.cityyear.org/join-the-corps/day-life

Job CORPS - Students at Job Corps can live on campus or commute. This is a federally funded FREE program where students can learn a vocational skill. Students have assistance getting their driver’s license and job placement, and they are PAID during their involvement in the program. Vocational options differ from site to site but they can include: culinary arts, facilities maintenance, business, health occupations, carpentry, plumbing and security.

Grafton Job Corps 
100 Pine Street, North Grafton, MA 
Phone 508-887-7388 
http://grafton.jobcorps.gov http://shriver.jobcorps.gov

Dynamy – Complete an internship year in the US. Dynamy has over 240 internship sites.

http://www.dynamy.org/  

The Experiment in International Living – Students can live abroad in this summer homestay program. There are 34 programs in 28 countries. https://www.experiment.org/  

The Center for Interim Programs – This organization specializes in counseling students on Gap Year options. They have offices in NJ and Northampton, MA.

http://www.interimprograms.com/  

LEAPnow – This program offers internship opportunities all over the globe. http://leapnow.org/

Global Volunteers – Complete volunteer work in the USA or worldwide. http://www.globalvolunteers.org/usa/  

Oxford Advanced Study Program – This program offers summer educational opportunities at Brasenose College in England, as well as post-graduate semesters that include classes and travel. http://www.oasp.ac.uk/

City Year – Is an education focused non-profit organization that unites young people of all backgrounds with a year of full time service working with kids in an effort to keep them in school and on track for graduation. http://www.cityyear.org/join-the-corps/day-life

Sea Semester – This program is based out of Woods Hole, Cape Code, and offers a wide variety of learning opportunities for students at all grade levels. The program is affiliated with many colleges across the country.

http://www.sea.edu/  

***These programs are not endorsed by the Grafton Public School District. Please do your research to determine if a program meets you and your child’s individual needs and wants.***