A community YMCA programme is the last stop for a group of 14-year-old New Plymouth boys who have dropped out of the education system.
The four boys have quit school and failed to attend several alternative education programme.
New Plymouth YMCA chief executive Linda Cox says the organisation's Engage programme is helping the boys get NCEA credits, although the ultimate aim is to get them back to school.
She says the programme is operating one-on-one with a youth worker, and is working where other courses have failed.
Ministry of Education figures show more than 3000 students took part in alternative education programmes last year.
