Metro Lehi alternative high school cites 95% graduation rate, partnerships and hands-on learning

Metro Lehi, an alternative high school in the Urbandale Community School District, highlighted its small-class model, external partnerships and student outcomes in a presentation to meeting attendees.

School staff member identified in the transcript as Speaker 1 said Metro Lehi provides "a very safe environment, a very high academic standard environment, and it's a place where everybody can be successful. Kids love it here. People love to work here. And our parents love sending their kids here." Speaker 1 also said the school was selected as a spotlight school by the National Alternative Education Association and that staff presented the program in Tampa, Florida.

The school presented these points as evidence of its role supporting students who have not thrived in traditional settings. "I think the thing about alternative HSP is that we're gonna offer more support for your student," Speaker 2 said, adding, "It's a second chance. It's a new beginning." Speaker 1 emphasized individualized instruction and ties to students' home districts: "Each student can get their own differentiated education ... our students not only get a completion of our program, but they also can, achieve their own diploma at their own school district."

Program details presented Speaker 1 said class sizes at Metro Lehi range from about 5 to 12 students, contrasting that with classes of "25 to 30 kids" in traditional schools, an arrangement staff said allows closer student-teacher relationships and reduces the chance a student will "slip through the cracks." The transcript also notes Metro Lehi maintains partnerships with local businesses across the metro area to provide job shadowing and internships.

The presentation listed scholarship and recognition opportunities for students: staff said Metro students apply for and receive scholarships from partner school districts and local organizations, including the Dollar for Scholars program. Staff also said one student each year receives a Prairie Meadows scholarship, which the organization presents in person.

Outcomes and peer collaboration Speaker 1 said Metro Lehi has averaged a graduation rate of about 95% over the last decade and contrasted that with a national average of about 65%. The transcript records that 12 other schools visited Metro Lehi this year to observe its practices, and staff reported ongoing collaboration with schools nationwide following the National Alternative Education Association recognition.

No formal board action was recorded in the transcript concerning Metro Lehi. The remarks in the record are a presentation of program features, partnerships and outcomes, not a policy proposal or vote.

"If we can make those kind of connections for students and families, we really feel like that that's a good day's work for us and we're pretty proud of that," Speaker 1 said.