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 Angie Taylor, ALC Counselor or the AHS counseling office for more information.

ALC Program Options

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.