Alternative High School Students Get New Path to Clover Park Technical College

Studying for a specialized career path in high school is becoming more popular, especially for those who aren't in the traditional public school model.

This week, the Clover Park School District signed an agreement with Clover Park Technical College that allows students in a non-traditional educational model to graduate from high school, earn college credit and gain hands-on training in a career field of their choice.

The students are also getting a nicer location to learn.

The Clover Park School District had been offering a four-year Alternative for Individuals high school program on the college campus in a building that hadn't been updated since the program started in the 1970s, said Shawn Jennison, the college’ s director of communications and marketing.

The college, meanwhile, operates the Northwest Career & Technical High School—an accredited program for students who don’t want to attend their local traditional high school. It was launched in 2003.

Under the new partnership, the Alternative for Individuals program will serve just freshmen and sophomores. Then the students will automatically be enrolled in the Northwest Career & Technical High School for their junior and senior years.

This provides a direct link to education and hands-on training in a career field of their choice. Also as part of the arrangement, the AI students have moved out of their old space and are now housed in the technical high school.

District Superintendent Debbie LeBeau and college President Dr. John Walstrum signed the partnership agreement Tuesday.

The AI program is a nontraditional way for students like Haley Keele to work toward high school graduation. When Keele transfers to Northwest Career & Technical High School, she plans to enroll in culinary arts, earn her high school diploma and even build credits toward her associate's degree.

"AI has been a great opportunity since I walked through the door," Keele said. It (Northwest Career Technical & High School) will achieve my goal in taking a career path."

In view of the increased educational opportunities for high school students, Lynn Wilson, administrator for business services and capital projects for the CPSD, said the district has agreed not to charge lease and rental fees for their respective use of shared facilities.

"The district and the college have agreed upon a bill-back reimbursement process to allocate a proportionate share of utilities, maintenance, security, custodial and grounds costs between the parties," Wilson said.

Sharing the same facilities has also allowed the college and district to maximize their resources and not duplicate services. The college’s Jennison said it opens up huge options from a taxpayer standpoint.

"It works because tax dollars follow the kid," Jennison said. "Wherever the kid goes to school, the tax dollars follow."

Jennison added that the school district signs a waiver for students to attend the Northwest Career & Technical High School. Students in the AI program are guaranteed a spot in the technical high school.

Walstrum said it ties together both schools. Moreover, it has allowed AI students to continue pursuing a different educational model. School district Assistant Superintendent Gary Wilson said other kids are going to see this as a vital option
to getting a head start in a career, and enrollment expansion may need to be discussed in the near future.

"We're trying to keep them engaged and focused, plan for the future and set some goals," Wilson said. The Northwest Career & Technical High School has myriad career paths. Keele said they do a lot of job searching in the classroom and it helps students figure out what they want to do.

"My hobby turned into a career," she said. "Go for the job you love."

A recommendation by an Alternative Learning Task Force in May of 2008 prompted the innovative partnership. LeBeau said the district wasn't happy with the alternative program and it was time to take a look to see how it could better prepare students who aren't in a traditional high school.

"This particular project we're hoping to help the younger people progress in the education system," Walstrum said.