District launches Northpointe transition classroom to re‑engage habitually disruptive students

Jared Ramos, director of student services and prevention, described the Northpointe Center, a district transition classroom established to provide short‑term, intensive intervention for students who are habitually disruptive or otherwise not successful in their home school. Ramos said the program began as a pilot last school year and that the district requested funding to staff it long term.

“[The Northpointe Center is] a transition classroom for students who are trying to figure out where the best place for them to go to school is,” Ramos said, explaining the goal is to “reengage students back in the academic process and help them go get back to regular school.” Superintendent Horsey added that the program was intended as a “safe‑school light” option for students who do not meet the threshold for the district’s formal safe‑school placement but need supports beyond what schools can provide locally.

Why this matters: Board members said the program addresses a common complaint that disruptive behavior in a classroom shortchanges other students’ learning. The center is meant to reduce classroom disruptions while offering a path back to a least‑restrictive appropriate placement.

Ramos said the district used a memorandum and a “student conduct agreement”…