Marshall has a strong relationship with Youth Guidance (YG), a program that serves at-risk students in the city of Chicago. YG serves about 150 students per year at Marshall, providing counseling and guidance, a creative arts program, support to the parent involvement program, and classroom and faculty support services. YG only works with schools that have a commitment to partnership. Although it is grant-driven, schools are asked to make a contribution to the program. Marshall takes this commitment even further. It not only makes the requisite financial commitment, but YG is also written into the School Improvement Plan, which includes a clear process for developing programs dedicated to making YG work. The school also has a full-time program coordinator who helps secure funding for the program and works with YG staff to identify ways the two can work together. The school reviews the program criteria and, working with YG, it defines and develops the kind of supports and services that are needed. Through this process, the school decided that YG would provide a dance program to Marshall students. School staff chose dance because it was the only "art" that the school was not able to offer its students. The school now offers dance in addition to drama, music, and fine arts, thanks to the YG program.

Another service YG provides is individual counseling to students who express a need for it. The school guidance counselor refers students to the YG social workers and keeps track of their progress. Many Marshall students have social or emotional issues that need to be addressed before they can begin to learn. The partnership that Marshall established with YG has enabled the school to address those needs and overcome some non-academic barriers to learning. The YG regional supervisor, Lisa Merth, says that Marshall is one of the best schools to work with because it sees YG as a real partner. Both sides are pleased with the relationship, which began in 1996. There is joint decision-making and strong cooperation between Marshall teachers and staff and YG staff. Ms. Merth says "Marshall has a strong understanding of the value of the role of YG, particularly in how it helps meet the needs of the students." She adds, "The [Marshall] staff are genuinely concerned about their students and want to use resources within and outside the building."

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