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Rockcastle County highlights alternative-schooling and college-readiness programs; students credit My Rock Online and academy staff
Summary
Board heard extended presentations on the Rockcastle Academy for Academic Achievement and My Rock Online (MRO); students and staff described pathways back to graduation, college credit and work-based learning. GEAR UP staff outlined program metrics and said a renewal application is pending.
Rockcastle County Board of Education members heard detailed reports on alternative-education programming Tuesday night, including the in-person Rockcastle Academy for Academic Achievement and the district's My Rock Online (MRO) virtual program. Staff and students said the programs have helped students catch up on credits, enroll in dual-enrollment classes and prepare for careers.
The presentations, delivered primarily by Mr. McCluskey and academy staff, described two strands of the academy: an in-person program for students in grades 6'12 and an online cohort, MRO. Mr. McCluskey said in-person students attend four class periods daily, use the middle school for breakfast and lunch, and are assigned to individualized plans that can include JAG and community job-shadowing. He said six in-person students have already completed credits required for graduation this school year and several others are close to finishing. For the online program, staff reported roughly 60 virtual enrollees this semester (about 30'35 middle school and 25 high-school students) and said seven online students completed credits toward graduation this year.
The board heard firsthand accounts from two MRO students. Summer Carroll said MRO accommodated medical appointments and helped her catch up academically: "MRO is more than just a program. Mister Hendrickson and mister McClure and the rest of the staff at the academy have encouraged me to go beyond my MRO classwork and enroll in dual credit class with Somerset Community College." Lila Holt, a senior who combined online and in-person MRO time, told the board, "The online setting has turned out to be the best option for me," and credited staff for individualized support that allowed her to pursue AP and college classes while managing therapy and work.
Board members and presenters also discussed student supports and partnerships. Academy staff described peer-mentoring work with middle-school students, monthly club days, job-shadowing with local businesses and coordination of related services (such as speech or counseling) when students come to the academy building. Administrators said online students are required to attend at least one weekly in-person or Google Meet session and that teachers monitor progress through district systems; parents were encouraged to check student Chromebooks for real-time grade updates.
The meeting included an extended GEAR UP overview by staff from Partners for Rural Impact (project director Nikki Dye and program coordinator Casey). The GEAR UP presentation listed program objectives (college visits, mentoring, tutoring, family engagement and career exploration) and recent activities (visits to regional colleges, STEM programming and job-site tours). The presenters cited the program's tracking numbers for the year: about 161 students served and roughly 13,258 total service hours (an average of about 82 hours per student); academic tutoring reached 38 students for more than 1,000 hours; post-secondary assistance (FAFSA, college applications, scholarships) reached approximately 79 students for about 3,200 hours; STEM activities accounted for about 3,400 hours.
GEAR UP staff also told the board the federal GEAR UP grant that funds the program is scheduled to end at the close of this school year; presenters said a renewal application has been submitted and that the district is "very, very hopeful" for continuation. Board members publicly expressed support for renewal and for continued placement of staff whose roles depend on the grant.
Why it matters: district leaders said the academy and online program provide alternate pathways for students who are medically challenged, behind on credits or need flexible schedules. The GEAR UP services described by staff — college visits, mentoring and direct advising on FAFSA and admissions — are central to the district's postsecondary-completion goals.
What's next: staff said they will continue transitions for students who can return to the high school setting, refine screening and trial periods for online enrollment, and await word on the GEAR UP renewal.
