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About Morton Alternative School Home

About Morton Alternative School

Morton Alternative School (MAS) was established on the premise that all students can learn and succeed when provided an educational environment that meets their individual needs and interests. Because the traditional school setting is not suitable for all students, Morton Alternative School strives to create an environment that allows students to experience both academic and personal success.

Dr. Erin Kelly

Morton Alternative School Principal

To quote Shakespeare literally, “The wheel has come full circle.” Many years ago, I taught English at the Alternative School for four and one half years and after that I transitioned to administration.

As a Dean of Students at Morton West and then moved to positions as an Assistant Principal at both the West and East campuses in various capacities for six years. During my residency at Morton East, I filmed a documentary during which several families opened up their homes to me to speak about their personal struggle. Now I am back to where my career at Morton began serving as the Principal of the Alternative School. I strongly believe the measure of who we are is how you react to things that don’t go the way we would have wanted. My students’ stories about their journey that led them to the Alternative School have humbled me, but more importantly, have helped me to grow as a leader.  I am so proud of all of the students I have come into contact with who have found reliance in adversity and have learned not to take failure personally.

District History

English Teacher > Dean of Students > Student Activities Director > Assistant Principal > Principal

Degrees and Certifications

  • National Louis University, Doctorate in Educational Leadership
  • Benedictine University, Master's in Educational Leadership & Admin
  • Carthage College, Bachelor's in English Language & Literature

Email Dr. Erin Kelly

Morton Alternative School Overview

Academics

MAS values the importance of academics as part of a student’s growth and offers all the required courses that are needed for graduation.  MAS also offers a heralded credit recovery program that provides an excellent opportunity for students to recover failed class credits during the school day.

 

 

Point System

MAS implements a point card system that helps students record and analyze their progress each day.  Each day, students can earn points in the 3 areas of “MAS Expectations for Success.”  Students can earn school rewards and privileges for earning more points.

 

 

 

Restorative Practices

MAS understands that students are continuing to grow not only academically, but socially and emotionally.  We also understand that most growth occurs during a student’s hardest moments.  Because of this, our school uses restorative practices in place of the traditional punitive measures when students are struggling in a school setting.  Through various restorative practices, our staff tries to understand the root of the problem and then works with the student, family, and other stakeholders to remediate the issue.

Social & Emotional Groups

Professional school counselors and psychologists host several social-emotional groups for students throughout the school year.  These include, but are not limited to:

  • Parenting
  • Literature for All of Us Book Club
  • Positive Social Relationships
  • Gang Awareness
  • Drug & Alcohol Awareness
  • West 40 Counseling Sessions

 

Resources

Building Administr­ation

MAS Staff Directory