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Committee approves pilot virtual pathway at Robert L. Maderas Resiliency Preparatory Academy
Summary
The school committee approved a semester‑2 pilot virtual pathway at RPA to serve students with low daily attendance; program will be opt‑in, start small and requires DESE clarification on time‑on‑learning rules.
The Far West School Committee voted to approve a pilot virtual pathway at the Robert L. Maderas Resiliency Preparatory Academy (RPA) intended to reach students with chronic attendance problems.
Superintendent and instructional staff said the pathway is a targeted, opt‑in program that will run Monday–Friday, periods 1–6, with live instruction from RPA teachers and access to Edgenuity courseware and live tutors. "It is our goal that we will launch a virtual pathway, at the start of semester 2," said Dr. Brownhard (presenting with Principal Riley and Mr. Woodward). The pilot will initially enroll a limited number of students — staff discussed a plan of roughly 10–15 students per grade for grades 10–12 — and the district emphasized it would proceed slowly and monitor results.
The nut graf: the district framed the pathway as an attempt to “meet students where they are” after prolonged low attendance at RPA (daily attendance cited around 55–65%). Administrators said the program is designed to reconnect students to academic content with wraparound supports (regular check‑ins, tutoring and in‑person drop‑in options) rather than to replace in‑person schooling for students who do not need it.
Administrators said final implementation depends on guidance from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education on virtual time‑on‑learning requirements; the district scheduled a follow‑up meeting with DESE to confirm compliance. Committee members requested updates on enrollment, attendance, academic outcomes and any plans to expand or replicate the model.
Ending: The committee approved the pilot with an expectation that the administration will present progress updates and that participation will be voluntary and require parental/guardian opt‑in.
