1971-72
Storefront opens in the old Canfield Clinic building. During its early days it changed from GED preparation only to a high school diploma program for 16-21 year olds. (Funded by the State of Illinois adult education funds and District 205 monies.)
1978-79
Second semester Truancy Alternative Program (TAP) for chronic truants opens at Hall School. (Funded by State of Illinois.)
1979-80
TAP changes to Young Adult Program (YAP)
1980-81
YAP moves to Turner School
1981-82
YAP moves to Washington Center.
1982-83
Storefront moves to Washington Center.
1984-85
Pre-employment Skills Training Program (PEST) opens at Washington Center. (Funded by Rock River Training Corporation – JTPA)
1987-88
Storefront, YAP and Education for Employment (EFE previously PEST) merge to become Alternatives at Washington Center. EFE expands to include a two-thirds reading teacher for income eligible students. Pregnant/parenting teens program joins Alternatives. MELD group starts. Eighth grade program starts second semester. (Funding sources: District 205, JTPA, Adult Education)
1988-89
Articulated high school program for truants/dropouts is in place with flexibility to accommodate students ranging from eighth grade retentions to GED students up to age 21. Full-time reading teacher for EFE students is added. Second semester career program begins cooperating with local businesses.
1989-90
Increased requirements (add 8 PE credits); increased length of student day from 3 to 5 periods. Program moved to Wilson.
1990-91
EFE funding dropped. District funds 3 teachers to cover EFE functions.
1991-92
$300,000 budget cut eliminates 5 teachers and program coordinator. EFE returns with 3.4 teachers. Credit status realigned – 37 Credits, no PE needed to graduate. (Funding sources: District 205, Adult Education, Rock River Training.)
1992-93
All programs moved to Roosevelt. Infant care added in Spring. Roosevelt Renovation (CRO) to find a permanent location for Alternative High School and Adult Ed services.
1993-94
Computer lab/teacher added, graphics lab/teacher added. 1 period of art added, child development and parent classes/teacher added, assistant principal added. EFE dropped. (Funding: Adult Education, District 205 Tort monies.)
1994-95
PE, special Ed. And GED teachers added, half-time social work and full-time counselor added, three-fifths social worker added, half-time nurse added, assistant principal added.
1995-96
Counselor reduced to half-time.
1999-2000
Middle school for repeaters added (4 new teachers) at end of Sept.; lose assistant principal, add full-time counselor. (Funding for day care through Even Start grant, other funding from Adult Education and District 205 tort monies.)
2000-01
Middle school component dropped.
2005-06
Advantage I & II programs begin (6 full-time teachers), part-time assistant principal added.
2006-07
School day lengthens to 14 periods to accommodate new programs.
Programs housed at Roosevelt now include: Alternative High School, Advantage I, Advantage II, Advantage IV, Adult GED, High School GED, Opportunities, YAP, Evening High School/Credit Recovery, Summer High School, Even Start, Early Childhood, and Special Education Vocation.

Information compiled by Bill Donovan.