BALTIMORE -- Baltimore city school officials are making room for some of the district's troubled middle- and high-schoolers at school board headquarters.

Tim Tooten Reports

The Success Academy, the district's newest alternative program, opened Wednesday and is expected to help 100 middle and high school students who were expelled or on long-term suspensions continue to learn in a classroom setting instead of spending time at home.

"Let me just say that it matters tremendously that there are kids in North Avenue," said city schools CEO Dr. Andres Alonso.

The school is a combination of one-on-one teaching, motivation and tough love.

"You can come to Success Academy and take ownership and accountability for the bad or inappropriate behaviors they had. You come to this situation and can be transformed. Our focus is on five pillars, which are the pillars of success, respect, responsibility, power and purpose," said school Principal Kevin Brooks.

The school is just down the hall from the school board meeting room and a few floors below Alonso's office. Officials said students will spend part of their day learning at the North Avenue campus and the rest in classes at the local YMCA.

Many students said they're hoping to learn from the experience.

"I'm expecting to get a whole lot smarter, more optimistic and to look at the more brighter side of things and just do good -- do good in life and become successful like Success Academy," said student Shelby Stern.

One of the school's new teachers said the assignment is anything but textbook.

"I understand the kids, I think, because I had a bit of that myself when I was young. Now I'm on the other side of the issue, and I know some of the problems and some of the challenges," said teacher Dr. Marc Standish.

Students can stay at Success Academy anywhere from 30 days to one year. Once they leave they'll continue to get support at their home schools.