The Department of Elementary & Secondary Education recently recognized Bryant’s Alternative Education Program (ALE) for its positive student outcomes. Bryant was invited to attend the Alternative Education Leadership Day at the Capitol for activities and a recognition ceremony. Bryant’s ALE program was presented with the Highest Achievement Award for Math and ELA Act Aspire scores.
Bryant’s ALE program for grades 9-12, PLACE (Positive Learning and Creative Education), is an environment built on respect for each student. Assistant Principal Tim Hall leads the team. Staff are committed to helping students identify their strengths and use those positive traits to improve their weaker areas. A total of 154 students have received extra support through the PLACE program this school year. In addition:
Students are using their artistic talents in welding to earn an art credit.
Students are cultivating plants to sell and fund additional outdoor projects with Coach Friday.
In Mrs. Brewer’s Geography class, students are designing Olympic clothing.
Mrs. Halbert is teaching English using body biographies.
Math scores have increased for the first time due to a program Mrs. Peck researched and implemented.
One of the students in Ms. Edwards' class is a member of the girls wrestling team.
Counselor Amy Crow is a genius at helping students with schedules and coming up with ideas for different projects at both campuses.
A total of 192 .5 recovery credits were earned
Eleven students graduated (Early Grads).
Seven students returned to the main BHS campus for the second semester.
Over 90 kids have graduated from the ALE program in the previous 3 years.
John Hall, Assistant Principal, leads the K-8 Alternative Learning Environment located at Bryant Middle School. The staff does a wonderful job at developing relationships with students and parents across the district. A total of 111 students have received extra support through the Alternative Learning Environment program this school year. Twelve students have returned to their home schools full time and fifteen have successfully completed partial transitions. Plus, multiple students have increased grade point averages. ALE team members:
Caroline Seabergm teaches K-2.
Brittani Welch-Gunton teaches third and fourth grade.
Jami Novielli teaches fifth and sixth grades.
Shelly Whittle is the instructor for grades 7 and 8.
Phillip Dupree teaches a combination class.
David McCorkel teaches 6-8 math and science.
Joey Jones teaches 6-8 ELA and history.
Counselor Amy Crow supports all grades (K-12) in ALE. She believes the outcomes and successes of the ALE program come from their team approach. They first focus on meeting the immediate student needs. At the high school level, the team determines how many credits students have earned and then they develop a plan for graduation. Since many ALE students have not been successful at traditional school, being creative and finding ways to engage them in their education is key.
For lower grades, the team first evaluates the skills students have (academics, social and emotional) and then make a plan for them to return to their home campus. Some students need a smaller environment. Some need testing to see if they require academic support services. Some need referrals for mental health. And, some need fewer transitions and fewer teachers who know them on a deeper level. The ALE teams have the freedom to design an individual program to help each student find success. The ability to target and address specific needs is one of the advantages of alternative education.
“Creating opportunities for success for all students is the mission of our alternative environment. Students learn in various ways. Sometimes learners need more than the traditional school environment can offer. The alternative environment provides additional pathways for students to successfully complete their educational goals to prepare them for life after high school,” Renee Curtis, Director of Student Services.
