Schoolcraft High School Uses Online Learning to Enhance Student Success

by Annette Gorden, Communication Specialist, Center for Educational Networking

In the small village of Schoolcraft, just eight miles south of Kalamazoo, students take advantage of online learning opportunities on a regular basis. Schoolcraft High School—a midsize Class C school with approximately 415 students and 24 full-time staff members—implements online learning through a partnership with Michigan Virtual School (MVS), offering a three-objective approach that includes credit recovery, advanced placement (AP), and a variety of electives to enhance student success.

An obvious success, MVS enrollment has increased from six students in the 2002-2003 school year to 145 students in 2006-2007. Schoolcraft offers six MVS class periods during its daily school schedule, with more than 150 online courses available.

Easy Solutions

Prior to incorporating online learning at Schoolcraft, numerous shortcomings in the high school’s curriculum were evident. No viable program existed for students falling behind; students wanting to take AP classes had to travel off campus to larger schools; and few overall electives were available. Schoolcraft needed a financially feasible solution that was easy to incorporate into the school schedule while utilizing existing staff. The program also needed the flexibility to meet the needs of both high-achieving and remedial students. Through the partnership with MVS, attaining a solution was easier than expected.

Schoolcraft’s open computer lab has proven to be a perfect site for online learning courses. Since MVS online instructors are considered Highly Qualified under the federal No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act, one certified on-site coordinator is all that’s needed in a lab with multiple courses taking place. Moreover, these courses apply as credit for Schoolcraft’s graduation requirements and meet the new Michigan Merit Curriculum graduation requirements. If a lab has 12 computers, that means 12 different courses can be going on during one class period. Schoolcraft has an online learning coordinator who runs the computer lab for all six periods.

“This credible, flexible program has been very cost effective for the district,” says John Kolassa, principal at Schoolcraft High School.

Students Catch Up Through Online Credit Recovery

During 2002-2003, Schoolcraft offered online learning solely as a credit recovery option. Six senior students were behind in credits and in danger of not graduating. These students took advantage of MVS classes before and after school and, as a result, all six graduated.

Through credit recovery, or “Flex 90,” students have up to 90 calendar days to complete a course, with the option of completing the course more quickly. Flex 90 provides a fast, flexible way to recover credit or pick up an elective. Classes are offered in the areas of computer science, language arts, math, workforce and life skills, social studies, science, and world languages. In addition to credit recovery, semester-paced elective and core classes. as well as advanced placement courses, are available.

Greater Flexibility and More Course Choices

Online courses do not take the place of available, face-to-face class offerings but allow for greater flexibility and more choices. Students enrolled in online courses meet daily with a mentor teacher and may even work from home. However, working from home does not replace attending class. Schoolcraft implements an attendance requirement and reserves the right to withhold credit from a student who does not meet the requirement—even if he or she passes the online course.

The benefits of online learning for Schoolcraft’s high school students are numerous. Students have been able to recover credits and access extra math, English, science, and elective courses. Additionally, students are motivated to succeed. There is no additional cost or time involved for students; a dedicated classroom space with cutting-edge technology is available; and staff, administration, and the community are supportive.

“The number of students enrolled in AP classes has doubled, and students are regularly experiencing more variety than a typical Class C school could offer on its own,” says Kolassa. “Schoolcraft has established a way to make online learning work, and students have experienced great success in the process.”

For more information, contact: John Kolassa, Principal, Schoolcraft High School, 629 E. Clay, Schoolcraft, MI 49087, (269) 488-7350, kolassj@schoolcraftschools.org or visit www.schoolcraftschools.org.