Programs and Partnerships

Austin Area Learning Center (ALC)

The Austin Area Learning Center program offers a variety of learning experiences for students and we are always looking for new ways to best meet their needs. We also have programming that includes Odessyware, an online program and seat based instruction. Outside of the traditional school day schedule we offer learning opportunities that include credit recovery, night school, and summer school programs. If you would like more information about the Austin High School Area Learning Center please contact Matt Schmit, Assistant Principal and ALC Director, or the counseling office for more information.

ALC Enrollment Application
ALC Credit Recovery Enrollment Form
ALC Program Options

Summer School 2022

2022 Summer School will run June 6 - July 14, with no classes on July 4 or 5.  Classes will run 8:30 - 1:00 Monday through Thursday.  EL Summer School will run 8:00 - 1:00 on the same days.

Summer school is now closed for new applications.

Post-Secondary and Career readiness (PCR)

PCR is a comprehensive guidance plan to expose students in grades 9-12 to the following five pillars:

• Academic Readiness
• Admissions Readiness
• Career Readiness
• Financial Readiness
• Personal/Social Readiness

Each grade level has the following main focus:

• 9th Grade: High School Success
• 10th Grade: Career Exploration
• 11th Grade: Post-Secondary Program Selection
• 12th Grade: Post-Secondary Success

Students will have lessons and workshops throughout the year covering essential curriculum to help them determine their future pathway of employment, career and post-secondary plans, whether that be a path to an apprenticeship, a certificate program, the military, a community college, a college, a university or employment. Students will complete smart goals, their high school credit analysis, work on their MCIS (Minnesota Career Information System) portfolio development and their PLP (Personal Learning Plan) where the following is identified:

• Career Goals & Interests & Occupations
• Educational Plans & Postsecondary Schools of Interest
• Personal Self-knowledge and Career Assessments
• Volunteer and Community Service & Extracurricular Activities
• Employment History

PCR will take place on selected days throughout the school year.  PCR is self-paced work in MCIS and Schoology except for one lesson a year where speakers from the local community present.

PCR work is completed through MCIS and Schoology.  Work for each semester must be completed by the end of each semester's grading period to be considered for credit.  Students earn .125 credit per semester/.25 PCR credit yearly for completing their required PCR coursework.  Work will be graded in Schoology and post to a student's transcript as either a P for Pass or F for Fail.

Experiential Learning Requirement

As part of the State of Minnesota statutes, section 120B.125 legislation requires all students to have a "plan" (complete their PLP, or Personal Learning Plan) around seven key elements. The seven key elements and plan should include academic scheduling, career exploration, 21st century skills, community partnerships, college access, all forms of postsecondary training, and experiential learning opportunities. All seven key elements are incorporated into PCR or Post-Secondary Career Readiness at Austin High School.

The seventh component, Experiential Learning is documented in MCIS, or Minnesota Career Information System. All students at Austin High School have a MCIS account where they document their PLP and Experiential Learning. Student will document Experiential Learning in three ways:

• Students will go to "Plan" tab then "Checklist". Click on Grade 12 "View" on Checklist Name. Click on "Experiential Learning, Job Shadowing, Internship Requirement". In box provided (What Exploration or Job Shadowing do you want to pursue?),document the Experiential Learning you completed with a brief description of your experience and what you gained/learned from your experience. Insert "today's date", and "Save Information".
• Students will go to the "Plan Tab" then "Career Plan" and then "Next Steps". On left hand side under "Make Plans" choose "Experiential Learning Plans" and complete questions about other plans for experiential learning opportunities, job shadowing, mentoring, internship or community service learning. Students will "Insert Today's Date" when they complete this and "Save Information".

Students may schedule 1/2 day excused absence up to once a year for this experience.

PCR Scope and Sequence
MCIS and Parchment Information
Saving Documents on MCIS
MCIS and Resume Creator Directions
MN Guidelines for Personal Learning Plan
MCIS and Brag Sheet Directions
Student Brag Sheet
Experiential Learning Form

Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID)

AVID is a college readiness system designed to increase the number of students who enroll in four-year colleges. Although AVID serves all students, it focuses on the least served students in the academic middle. The formula is simple - raise expectations of students and, with the AVID support system in place, they will rise to the challenge.

Today, AVID has been adopted by nearly 4,500 schools in 47 states, the District of Columbia, and 16 countries/territories, and serves approximately 400,000 students, grades 4-12 as well as being in 14 post-secondary institutions. Schools and districts have taken AVID's methodologies and WICR strategies (Writing, Inquiry, Collaboration, and Reading) from the elective course and implemented them school-wide and district-wide to impact their entire communities and create articulated programs for college success.

Why the AVID System Works

• Teaches academic skills not targeted in other classes
• Provides intensive support with in-class tutorials thanks to a partnership with Riverland Community College
• Builds strong student/teacher relationships
• Accelerates under-achieving students into more rigorous courses
• Creates a positive peer group for students
• Develops a sense of hope for personal achievement gained through hard work and determination

REACH

At REACH, we are building a culture with the values of Relationship, Education, Accountability, Character, Hard Work (REACH). REACH is a team consisting of 4 adults, each with their own specialty and strengths and close to 90 students. Together, we work relentlessly to support each other with academic and other life style supports.

First semester results are in and we are extremely proud of the work our students, the teachers at AHS, and our REACH staff have put in! A total of 77 students were being supported through REACH and our students were able to pass 89% of ALL their classes. REACH is a program that strives to create a new culture unlike most classrooms in education do not look like. We spend a great deal of time blending accountability and hard work, with relationship building and some good old fun.

We have the ability to consistently support students over a 2 period day, 5 days a week, for the whole semester. We feel this is extremely important to build trust, security, and the comfort necessary to CHANGE the way most students arrive to us: disliking school, behind in credits, unorganized, improper study habits if any, and in some cases a belief system internally that tells individuals that they are "failures."

Partnerships

The Hormel Foundation Austin Assurance Scholarship

The Hormel Foundation Austin Assurance Scholarship (THFAAS) is a scholarship that students can use while earning a college education at Riverland Community College. This scholarship covers your tuition and fees and includes a stipend for needed books and materials. The scholarship amount will vary for each student and will pay for up to 100% of tuition and fees that are not funded by federal grants, state grants, or other scholarship funds. THFAAS will pay for up to 65 college credits towards an approved program of study at Riverland Community College.

The Hormel Foundation Austin Assurance Scholarship Website
United Way Get Connected (Volunteer Opportunities and Tracking)
Get Connected Directions for Students
How to Log Volunteer Hours

Be Your Best

The Be Your Best College Prep Academy is a free program for teens and young adults between the ages of 16 and 22. At Be Your Best, students have the opportunity to prepare for college by taking pre-college Math, Reading, and Writing. Students receive guidance and support through dedicated instructors, advisors, counselors and tutors. Students will also benefit from the educational seminars designed for college success and participate in leadership, volunteer and educational activities and field trips throughout the summer.

Please visit http://www.riverland.edu/beyourbest/ for more information and the application.

SPARK College Prep Academy

SPARK Summer College Prep Academy is a tuition free program provided by Austin Adult Learning for students who have recently graduated from high school or completed their GED which takes place at Riverland Community College, Austin Campus. In SPARK, students will participate in a learning community in which students and teachers work collaboratively toward reaching the students' goals. Each learning community will include an English and math class, as well as a course utilizing MyFoundationsLab, an online Accuplacer prep tool. Tutors and advisers will be available for additional support. There will be 3 spots available to International Students, at a cost. Please contact the counseling office for more information.

Step Up Austin

Step-Up Austin is a program partnership between Austin Public Schools, Pacelli Catholic Schools and the Austin business community. This program provides summer internship opportunities for high school students that are completing their junior year. It introduces them to careers they are not normally knowledgeable about and allows them an opportunity to experience professions they did not think they were qualified for. Step-Up Austin is modeled after the extremely successful Step-Up Achieve model that started in Minneapolis in 2002.

Austin High School and Pacelli Catholic Schools Juniors have the opportunity to apply for this program. Students participate in an extensive training process in collaboration with Workforce Development to ensure their understanding of the workplace and how to be a professional. Students are highly motivated and truly want to learn new skills. Most students that participate in this program are first generation college students who also meet Step-Up Austin program criteria as well.