WCEC Alternative High School by Kelly Demerath https://padlet.com/demerathk/zqlmiwad9jrj Walworth County Educational Consortium Alternative High School en-us 2016-06-06 15:05:22 UTC 2016-06-06 20:55:21 UTC hello@padlet.com https://padlet-assets.storage.googleapis.com/portrait/announcement.jpg Location demerathk https://padlet.com/demerathk/zqlmiwad9jrj/wish/113810108
We are located on Gateway Technical College's campus in Elkhorn.

Our Address is:
400 County Road H
Elkhorn, Wi 53121
West Building
Click here for a map]]> 2016-06-06 15:08:32 UTC https://padlet.com/demerathk/zqlmiwad9jrj/wish/113810108 History of the WCEC Alternative High School demerathk https://padlet.com/demerathk/zqlmiwad9jrj/wish/113810929
The WCEC Alternative High School began in 1990 as a consortium charter school sponsored by the Walworth County Educational Consortium and a partnership with Gateway Technical College. The impetus of the school came from a superintendent handing out diplomas at graduation. He saw a student, who did not graduate, standing in back, watching his friends get the diploma he did not. The superintendent thought that the student was deserving of a diploma, but that the traditional school environment did not meet that particular student's needs.

The area superintendents got together and put a wish list of pieces that they wanted for an alternative school that would serve the needs of the Walworth County learners seeking an option outside of their traditional high school. Items that were on the list included housing the school on Gateway Technical College's Elkhorn campus, a strong community service/citizenship curriculum, the ability to take college classes while still in high school, and a focus on career-ready skills to assist the students in obtaining employment.

This wish list became the WCEC Alternative High School. It is governed by representatives from each member school district - Elkhorn, Lake Geneva, Delavan-Darien, Big Foot Union, and Williams Bay. Our Governance Board is responsible for policy decisions. Staffing and budget requirements are brought to the Superintendent Board and the Elkhorn Area School District School Board.

]]> 2016-06-06 15:13:45 UTC https://padlet.com/demerathk/zqlmiwad9jrj/wish/113810929 Contact Us for More Information demerathk https://padlet.com/demerathk/zqlmiwad9jrj/wish/113820755
Please let us know if you are interested in more information about our school: 

Kelly Demerath- Principal
(ph) 262.741.8352
(e) demerathk@gtc.edu 
(f) 262.741.8131
]]> 2016-06-06 16:20:37 UTC https://padlet.com/demerathk/zqlmiwad9jrj/wish/113820755 Programs Offered  demerathk https://padlet.com/demerathk/zqlmiwad9jrj/wish/113821006
There are three pathways to graduation at the WCEC Alternative High School. Students receive an individual plan that outlines their path to graduation, which is based on number of credits and age at enrollment.

Students enroll at AHS in either January or July. The school operates on a year-round calendar where three (6 week) sessions equal one academic semester.

Competency:
A two year program where students in 11th and 12th grade exhibit competency in the core disciplines of Math, Science, Social Studies and Language Arts. Students need to obtain competency at an achievement rate of 75% or above to successfully pass.

Adult High School:
The Adult High School program for 11th and 12th grade students and is a partnership program between the home school and Gateway Technical College. This is a 17 credit diploma program, where students receive the majority of their instruction at the Alternative High School and take one or two classes at Gateway to fulfill their requirements.

Senior Skills (GED Option 2): 
This program is only for senior students. Students must exhibit competency in the four core disciplines of Science, Social Studies, Mathematics and Language Arts by passing tests to show their mastery of the 12th grade requirements in these areas.  Students must have 90% attendance, be employed, participate in community service, and complete a Gateway Technical College course to fulfill the requirements of this diploma.]]> 2016-06-06 16:22:29 UTC https://padlet.com/demerathk/zqlmiwad9jrj/wish/113821006 Who's a Good Candidate for AHS? demerathk https://padlet.com/demerathk/zqlmiwad9jrj/wish/113821222 This is the question most asked about AHS! There is not one type of students for the Alternative High School. Students from many different situations are successful at AHS. 

The majority of students who come to AHS are credit deficient after their 10th grade year and are looking to graduate on time with their 9th grade cohort. Students who are looking for a small school atmosphere, with class sizes ranging from 10-15 students will find this at AHS. Also, students participate in either the morning (8-11:30 M-F) or afternoon session (11:30-3:15 M-Th), which allows them to take classes opposite their session or have a job

Students who are enrolled at AHS are still students at their home high school. Students can still participate in events and co-curricular experiences as long as they meet the school's attendance and academic requirements. Additionally, many students participate in the morning or afternoon session and may return to their home high school for a class or two opposite their session.]]> 2016-06-06 16:23:57 UTC https://padlet.com/demerathk/zqlmiwad9jrj/wish/113821222 A Diploma with Direction demerathk https://padlet.com/demerathk/zqlmiwad9jrj/wish/113821354
All of the programs offered by the Alternative High School result in the student earning a high school diploma.

In the Competency and Senior Skills programs, students earn a high school diploma that lists their home high school and the Alternative High School. Students are able to walk in their home high school's graduation ceremony.

In the Adult High School Program, students earn a high school diploma that lists their home high school and Gateway Technical College. Students are able to walk in the graduation ceremony at Gateway Technical College with graduating seniors from all of Gateway's campuses.

Students attending the Alternative High School have the option to take classes from Gateway Technical College. If the class is under $20, the student is responsible for the cost. However, if approved by the home school district, the student may take a course funded by the home school district. The requirements are attending and successfully passing the course. If the student does not pass, they need to refund the amount of the class and supplies to the home school district.

Many students take classes at Gateway Technical College both as part of their program at AHS, and because they are interested in pursuing a career pathway. Students at AHS have a GTC advisor who meets with students twice a session. Our GTC advisor also plans opportunities for campus tours, class/program shadows, FAFSA information and assistance, and post-secondary planning.

AHS students also participate in programs sponsored by the Walworth County Job Center. The focus of these efforts is to secure employment for students and to provide paid training that lead to solid post-secondary employment paths.

]]> 2016-06-06 16:24:42 UTC https://padlet.com/demerathk/zqlmiwad9jrj/wish/113821354 Seat Allocation and Cost demerathk https://padlet.com/demerathk/zqlmiwad9jrj/wish/113821427 Each school district purchases a seat at approximately $7,000 a year. If a student successfully graduates in December, the district has the opportunity to enroll another student in the same seat.

The Elkhorn Area School District is the fiscal agent for the WCEC Alternative High School.]]> 2016-06-06 16:25:13 UTC https://padlet.com/demerathk/zqlmiwad9jrj/wish/113821427 2016-2017 School Calendar demerathk https://padlet.com/demerathk/zqlmiwad9jrj/wish/113821589
Click Here for 2016-2017 Calendar]]> 2016-06-06 16:26:23 UTC https://padlet.com/demerathk/zqlmiwad9jrj/wish/113821589 What Students say about AHS! demerathk https://padlet.com/demerathk/zqlmiwad9jrj/wish/113852014 I may not have always proven myself at Delavan-Darien High School, but I do believe I have changed into a better version of myself at the Alternative High School.
-excerpt from a student essay

My counselor got me in to the Alternative High School, it gave me a golden pass I never thought I would have.
-excerpt from a student essay

I will prove I can be everything nobody thought I could.
-excerpt from a student essay

At AHS my grades are excellent! I feel like I'm learning more than I ever have before, and I feel prepared to begin my future out of high school.
-excerpt from a student essay

I let my education suffer and let myself fall into a hole. I am here today with dirt still on my knees, but standing tall with the glow of success and achievement neighboring me.
-excerpt from a student essay

I wouldn't be the person I am today if I hadn't once failed. Once you fail, you get up and try again, because you are one step closer to achieving your goal than you were before.
-excerpt from a student essay

The goals I have set for myself would not be possible without the help of my teachers, they believed in me when I didn't believe in myself.
-excerpt from a student essay​ 

(comments also used in graduation video)
]]> 2016-06-06 20:20:39 UTC https://padlet.com/demerathk/zqlmiwad9jrj/wish/113852014 AHS Students demerathk https://padlet.com/demerathk/zqlmiwad9jrj/wish/113853524 Please click "View Original" or this link:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B241ofMH9Nl5Vnh1RUdFeVZIeE0/view?usp=sharing

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