This study focused on young women's perceptions of the factors that influenced their lack of success in traditional high school settings and the factors that led them to enroll and complete the alternative program, Gateway to College. The Gateway to College program is a coeducational program, but this study l focused solely on young women who graduated from the program. The young women who participated in this study provided information on how and why they reengaged in their studies through the Gateway program. The data collection used a qualitative approach consisting of interviews of young women who graduated between 2010 and 2014. A qualitative analysis of the young women's perceptions of their experiences as disengaged students showed the young women participants did not fit the prototype of a high school dropout. Society often has a negative perception of young dropouts; there is a stigma attached to the term dropout (America's Promise Alliance, 2014). Rumberger and Lim (2008) assert high school dropouts report a variety of reasons for leaving school. In this research study, young women identified various factors that forced them to leave school, illustrating the term dropout can have different meanings. This research study illustrated that young women who drop out and reengage in their education are more likely to continue their education and obtain employment, which allows them to gain social capital. There were six major themes emerged from this study in regards to young women's dropout and re-engagement experience. The first theme is young women's attitudes toward education. The second theme is dropout factors that led to the young women's decisions to leave traditional high schools. The third theme is young women's experiences in their homes, schools, and the Gateway to College program environment. The fourth theme is both the negative and/or positive relationships associated with the young women's school experiences. The fifth theme is young women's perception of themselves as a high school dropout. The sixth theme is young women's re-engagement into to the Gateway to College program. To support the six themes, 12 Subthemes expand the themes thoroughly. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com.bibliotheek.ehb.be/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]