Every 29 seconds, a U.S. student gives up on school. That's 124 students every hour; 2,979 every day; and more than 1 million every year. Most dropouts interviewed later in life stated they believe they could have succeeded in school if they had been given the right opportunity, and a special report in "Time" magazine reported "a full 88% of dropouts said they had passing grades in high school." This article discusses how Simon Youth Foundation (SYF) provides the opportunity for students at risk of dropping out to succeed in the classroom through unique alternative high schools. Education Resource Centers (ERCs) are alternative schools established as collaborations between SYF, one or more public school districts, and the community. SYF and the ERC program took shape in the 1990s when employees of Simon Property Group decided they wanted to use their talents to help at-risk students. As the idea worked its way up from the grassroots level, a committee decided to use space available in Simon malls for alternative schools, and SYF was established as an independent 501(c)(3) non-profit in 1997 to accomplish this mission. Although a shopping mall may seem like an unusual place to educate youth, the setting offers a variety of opportunities and benefits for high-school students who have given up on school or are no longer able to succeed in the traditional setting.