For high school students who aren’t thriving in a traditional classroom, a South Dakota school district is trying a different approach.
Gold Prospect Academy is a new alternative high school in the Lead-Deadwood school district in the Black Hills. It offers a mix of online and in-person classes designed to meet each student’s needs.
Superintendent Erik Person is also the academy’s director.
“Some of our students are underserved, and we end up having some students slipping through the cracks, or maybe open enrolling to other districts, or taking a homeschool route, when really, an alternative education format would really serve some of those students well,” Person said.
Person said certified staff members will support online learning, and students can access electives and career and technical programs at Lead-Deadwood High School. They can also participate in extracurricular activities.
Applications are available on the school district’s website, and students can still apply to enroll this year.
Person said while this kind of alternative school isn’t a new concept, the school district’s smaller size allows for more flexibility. Person explained each student will have a personalized learning plan that best fits their needs.
Person added this can work well for people who struggle with a typical high school schedule.
“That’s probably a barrier that we can get out of the way. And it’s not ‘Burger King, have it your way’ necessarily, but there are some options where it doesn’t have to be seven-and-a-half hours all day, every day,” Person said.
Applicants need to provide a statement explaining why they need an alternative option for high school, and why Gold Prospect Academy appeals to them. They also need to provide two references, which Person said could be a teacher, community member or a boss from work.
Person said these steps ensure students are committed to their goals.
“We don’t want kids just jumping in, jumping out. We want kids that are committed that, ‘Hey, I really want a diploma, and what do I need to do to [get] that?’ And then our part will be, ‘Hey, let’s take some of the roadblocks out of the way. You’ve shown us you’re committed. What can we do to make it happen?'” Person said.
Person said enrollment will be capped at 10 students for this first year.
Laura Hatch-Greater Dakota News Service