In a Nutshell

Providing comprehensive assessment and individualized education to help youth and families build happy, healthy lives.

•Collaborative partnership between Hilltop, School District 51, Department of Human Services, and Colorado West Mental Health Center
•School Based drug & alcohol services
•Gender specific intervention
•Job readiness skills for youth utilizing the Workforce Investment Act
•Family and youth assessments
•Middle school and high school day treatment programs

Contact Opportunity Center School Program

1129 Colorado Ave
Grand Junction, CO 81501
ph. 970-243-0190


The OPPORTUNITY CENTER SCHOOL PROGRAM is an alternative, dropout retrieval program whose primary goal is to get at-risk youth back into education through an alternative and individualized program. In order to provide individualized instruction, a 12:1 student/teacher ratio is maintained which fosters an atmosphere of supportive relationships. Social, emotional, and economic issues often undermine a youth's ability to maintain an appropriate academic level; therefore, youth and families meet regularly with the counselor/case manager and teachers. The student's schedules are adapted to meet the individual needs. The program boasts an attendance rate of 87%. Currently, there is one middle school class and four high school groups in progress.

The vocational component assists youth in becoming employed and staying employed. There are a variety of services included in this program: GED preparation, Job Coaching, and Work Experience. Job Coaching provides individual lessons in work ethic skills, vocational assessments, and interviewing skills. Work Experience allows youth the opportunity to learn work skills in a guided environment, monitored by the employer and Job Coach and provides elective credit for high school diploma.