Clover Park School Board Hears of Progress at Lakewood Career Academy

The state of affairs at the Lakewood Career Academy was the main presentation at Monday night’s meeting of the Clover Park School Board at district headquarters.

In his report, Assistant Principal Kevin Rupprecht said that they are making good progress at the former Alternatives for Individuals High School.

The changes began after 2006-08 marked a wave of low attendance, low credit acquisition and poor graduation rates at the school. 2008-09 was a planning year with Clover Park Technical College, and 2009-10 marked the implementation of a K-8 online program, continuation of the school’s alternative high-school transition and building the Twilight Academies at Clover Park and Lakes High Schools.

Nine recommendations have now been implemented or put into place, Rupprecht said. The school moved into a new space in Building 14 of CPTC in July, and 90 students were served during the 2010-11 school year.

The changes appear to be working.

LCA’s dropout rate has declined from 52 percent in 2008-09 to 16 percent in 2009-10, and 24 of the students at the school were there from start to finish of the last school year.

“It’s not just about their paper trail, but their human trail,” Rupprecht said. “We get to know these students very well.”

Among the school’s goals are to continue its career-prep focus, implement habits of work and pilot a career/college observation with classes at CPTC. Rupprecht said they have been emphasizing habits of a good employee and trying to give students feedback on their development as a future employee.  Another area of emphasis is raising scores on End of Course math exams.

Rupprecht said that one area that needs improvement is attendance – the rate was 76.5 percent last year.

“It’s something we’re not pleased with yet,” he said. “It’s an area of focus.”

Rupprecht also discussed the Twilight Academy, which is a program for students at Clover Park and Lakes that allows them to get back into school while dealing with what he called “significant barriers to their academic success,” such as attendance.

The academy, which had 23 students at Clover Park and 21 at Lakes during the 2010-11 school year, meets from 2:30-5:30 p.m. every day at the students’ respective schools. This year marks the second of the pilot program, and district officials hope to increase student and community awareness of the program, which essentially offers students a second chance.

“We have lots of options,” said Superintendent Debbie LeBeau, “but we do not have an option to fail.”

However, the results aren’t always perfect. Eight students withdrew from Clover Park’s program last year, and Rupprecht said they do not know where they have gone.

“Those are the ones we’re looking for,” he said, adding that the teachers’ first assignment at the beginning of the year is to track down those students.

“It’s that personal connection that the Twilight teachers have that hopefully re-engage them into the program.”

While some parents are ecstatic that their children can finish school, others are “disengaged, so we have to work with the student.”

“We explain to them very bluntly that this is about getting you back in and getting you some success.”

And most importantly, Rupprecht said, “We saved 15 students (last year) and helped re-engaged them in school.”

Board member Marty Schafer commended Rupprecht for the work LCA has done.

“I really appreciate the 90 (students) you kept engaged in school,” he said. “I’m really proud of your program.”

Also Monday, the School Board honored the Lakewood Youth Council and Associated Student Body representatives from Clover Park, Lakes and Harrison Prep. The 36 students each received a letter from the board that would be of benefit when it comes time to apply to colleges or for jobs.

“We want to thank you for serving on the Youth Council,” Board
President Walt Kellcy Jr. told the students. “Thank you, and congratulations for being elected to represent your student bodies.”

LeBeau said that Monday’s district enrollment total of 11,267.8 full-time equivalent (FTE) students was submitted to the state for funding for the month of September, and that the number was 86 more than they needed, based on the annual average based on the district’s projected budget.

And while the number was 50 less than in 2010, she said she expects the number to increase as days go by – and that it could be bolstered by enrollment on Joint Base Lewis-McChord.