DERRY - Local educators are teaming up to help students stay in school and continue their education.

As of July 1 of this year, students can no longer drop out of school until they turn 18. Now Pinkerton Academy is joining forces with the Upper Room to help students who might otherwise drop out stay in the classroom.

Through a grant by the New Hampshire Department of Education, Pinkerton Academy Continuing Education Program (P.A.C.E.), and the Upper Room, there is now an option.

The GED Option program provides area youth, ages 16-21, the opportunity to stay in school and earn their GED, gain employment skills and connection to further education or job training.

"As a regional GED Option site, we will now be able to provide a quality education for up to 40 youth who, in the past, might have dropped out of school," P.A.C.E. director at Pinkerton Bill Foye said.

Upper Room Executive Director Kimberly Bavaro said the family resource facility in Derry is very excited about the partnership with Pinkerton Academy.

"We have been providing a GED Prep program to young aduts age 16 and over for many years and have had a great deal of experience helping them become successful," Bavaro said. "Now that the law has changed, it has become even more critical that we offer individualized experiences that help 16-18-year-olds not only stay in school and earn their GED, but that we give them the skills they need to become employed and self-sufficient in the long run."

GED coordinator for the Upper Room Brenda Guggisberg said last year, 81 percent of the students taking part in the GED Option program passed and 100 percent went on to stay connected to either college or employment when they completed the program.

"This year we are off to a great start with 14 students already prepared to take the exam and move on to further education or employment," she said, adding the program allows students to complete their education sooner than in a traditional educational setting and allows them to earn their GED at their own pace.

Students enrolled in the GED Option program attend 15 hours of instruction per week. Classes are held Tuesday, Thursday and Friday for five hours each day. In addition to instruction in English, writing, math, science, and social studies, students are exposed to a variety of career opportunities, further educational opportunities, and training. Classes are held at the Upper Room on Tsienneto Road.

For information about the GED Option program, contact Sandra Belair at Pinkerton Academy at 437-5200, ext. 1134, or Brenda Guggisberg at the Upper Room at 437-8477, ext. 18.