The design of the Alternative Education Center is to provide additional resources to help students most at-risk and to improve the probability they can succeed in school and later in our community. The needs of students, whether they are behavioral, social, emotional, or academic are carefully considered when placing them in a particular program. The basic beliefs are that not all students learn in the same structured way and that each student has individual strengths, talents, and interests that can be built upon. No program is designed as punitive and placement is not a punishment. Students that are suspended are allowed to continue their education in either the Phoenix Academy or the Alternative Learning Center, not as a punishment, but rather as a second chance. For the majority of students, the goal is to return to the public school and maintain success. 

 Field trip to UNCA: 

There have been a few calendar changes due to inclement weather. The following is a short summary of changes:

McDowell County Schools was closed on January 25th, a student day, due to inclement weather. This date was swapped for an Annual Leave day on June 14th and the calendar was shifted accordingly. (Additionally, the Mandatory Staff Development Day on Monday, June 10th was moved to Wednesday, June 12th and the Optional Teacher Workday on June 12th was moved to Friday, June 14th.)

There have been a few calendar changes due to inclement weather. The following is a short summary of changes:

McDowell County Schools was closed on January 25th, a student day, due to inclement weather. This date was swapped for an Annual Leave day on June 14th and the calendar was shifted accordingly. (Additionally, the Mandatory Staff Development Day on Monday, June 10th was moved to Wednesday, June 12th and the Optional Teacher Workday on June 12th was moved to Friday, June 14th.)

The date for graduation has been set for Saturday, June 8th, 2013. 

The last student day is June 10th.

 

8:00-8:15 Arrival
8:15-8:40 Breakfast
8:40-8:45 Announcements
8:45-10:10 First Period
10:10-11:30 Second Period
11:30-12:00 Lunch
12:00-1:20 Third Period
1:20-2:45 Fourth Period
2:45 Dismissal

The Pheonix Academy is the junior high portion of the AEC. . .

Providing small class sizes and caring hearts, we seek to guide students through the ashes of life's difficulties and watch as they soar above circumstances. Students come from a variety of backgrounds but all with the same shared goal, "To make wise life decisions and attain a quality education complete with meeting our fullest academic potential."

In Phoenix Acdademy, students feel like they matter and staff strives to treat them as the adult citizens of our society they soon will become.

The LEAP Academy is the accelerated pathway for moving students from below grade level to at grade level. . .

Students enter LEAP as 9th graders via an application and interview process. High emphasis is placed on the students' committment to catch up academically and enter a high school environment. After a successful year in the LEAP Academy students will be promoted to the 10th grade. The staff of LEAP focuses its attention on meeting the requirements for high school graduation and the transition into a high school environment.

The ALC is the high school portion of the AEC . . .

Students enter our school for a variety of reasons, one of which is the atmosphere a small school affords. Here, students have the chance to turn life around academically and behaviorally as we endeavor to foster their abilities and maximize their potential. Our mission is to graduate competent young adults who are ready to enter the workforce or a 2 year college program. We challenge our students to succeed through wise choices and forward thinking!