The Focus program deals with those students who perform well below their capacity socially and/or academically. It has as its main goal to decrease the incidence of alienation among these youth, the staff, and the community. Sub-goals include the reduction of alienation and improvement of self-concept, an increased access to desirable social roles, and the reduction of negative labeling. Since most Focus students are seen to be deficient in the basic academic skills and positive social development, the emphasis in each discipline is directed toward meeting the individual educational and social needs of each student. The philosophical basis of the Focus approach is broken down into seven briefly discussed interrelated components: caring, the setting of expectations, structure, individualization, responsibility, reinforcement, and evaluation. An area of emphasis in the program is the State funded work experience component in which work experiences are provided for each student, giving them an accurate view of the responsibilities and realities of employment. The Focus program is stated to be significantly different from other mini-school concepts dealing with the alienated student -- the family group atmosPhere or small group interaction, noted to be the backbone of the program. (Author/AM)