[dropcap]D[/dropcap]uring the course of the school year, officials at Live Oak Academy along FM 2770 keep a running tally on its marquee of students who have earned their diploma and are ready to tackle the world.
As an “alternative school of choice,” LOA is a place were students determine what learning strategies best suit them, said Doug Agnew, first year principal at LOA.
For the 30-plus students and counting who have already earned high school diplomas this year, LOA offers alternative, technology-based learning that goes beyond the traditional school model.
Agnew said students at LOA are required to attend school for four hours a day, instead of the traditional 7-plus hour block.
Agnew said LOA offers a mainly computer-based curriculum with an option for students to also take a course taught by a teacher where they submit assignments electronically.
One of the key differences at LOA is smaller class sizes and smaller student to teacher ratios.
An average of 10 to 15 students populate a classroom, with 10 to 11 teachers instructing roughly 200 students.
Agnew said Live Oak Academy tailors students’ school day to meet their needs and doesn’t require that they take more classes than what they need to graduate.
It allows for the campus to foster a more college-like atmosphere where students are there to work.
“Not everyone is motivated to go to school, but they start seeing the light at the end of the tunnel, they see what’s possible, they see the opportunity and they see that we’re not wasting their time by putting them in classes they don’t need,” Agnew said.
Another difference between LOA and other traditional schools is that there is no homework required at LOA. The students do have access to their coursework online and many choose to work on assignments outside of class.
Agnew said the school is open to all Hays CISD students who apply as long as they have six course credits and are motivated to learn.
Agnew said graduates from LOA have gone on to attend 4-year colleges, where they can then obtain a masters or doctoral degree.
Some graduates have gone on to open their own businesses, while some join the military or start families.
Agnew said alternative schools are gaining popularity in school districts across the country based on their success.
“Students come in that are disenfranchised with education, and then they come to us and start gaining that confidence to learn in a college-like atmosphere,” Agnew said.
Agnew said LOA helps students with all kinds of learning preferences, including students with learning disabilities who may have a tougher time keeping up with the traditional school model.
Agnew has high hopes for schools offering alternative learning curriculum. Agnew said that blended learning or technology-based learning is the way of the future and expects to see more school districts get involved.
“I do think this (LOA) is meeting kids in the middle with education and technology,” Agnew said.
