Contact:

Aaron L. Royster, Director -

Keen Green, Principal -

Kelly Brough, Registrar -

 A Board of Education approved charter high school, Community Youth Development Institute (CYDI) exists to educate youth while creating a safe and caring school environment. CYDI is affiliated with Youth Connection Charter School.

Programs & Services

CYDI provides social and academics skills emphasized through a nontraditional structured learning environment. Students are prepared to be productive members of society while developing skills in reading, mathematics, science, writing, social studies, career exploration and critical thinking. All skills are enhanced by computer instruction. Group and individual counseling is provided by a state certified counselor and special education services for students that have an Individualized Education Plan (IEP).

CYDI  offers Dual Enrollment, Dual Credit and Job Placement; a distinctive opportunity for qualified students to interact and integrate into their community by going to school in the morning and working or attending college classes in the afternoon. The Dual Enrollment program, in conjunction with Academic Advisement and Guidance Counseling, is provided to all students. CYDI also partners with A Knock at Midnight (AKAM) to provide social and emotional support for students and families in need.

Extracurricular activities include: School Newspaper, School Yearbook, Spring Prom, Choir, Drum Corps, Jazz Band, Dance Team, Fitness Club, Basketball, Flag Football and Track & Field.

Eligibility Age Range – 16-21

Minimum Credits to Enroll - 5

Credits Required to Graduate – 18

Other Requirements to Graduate - All students must complete the CYDI program to be granted a diploma. The minimum number of credits to graduate from CYDI under the Youth Connection Charter School (YCCS) umbrella is 18 credits. Students must successfully complete a minimum of one full academic year and earn three (3) or more credits from CYDI. A student is expected to successfully complete every course for which he/she registers and a student must pass all his/her classes the last sememster in order to be a candidate for graduation.

Instructions to Apply – Apply at www.applytoyccs.com and choose Community Youth Development Institute. Contact CYDI with questions at (773) 224-2273.