Tahoe‑Truckee Unified highlights alternative programs serving students off the traditional high‑school path

Jeff Santos, principal of alternative programs for Tahoe‑Truckee Unified School District, presented a school showcase on the district’s three alternative education pathways: Sierra High School (continuation), the Coldstream independent‑study program, and the Truckee River program.

Sierra High, Santos said, serves students who are 16 or older and are “not making it at their local high school, Truckee High or North Tahoe High School.” He described the program as focused on a diploma and post‑high‑school preparation, with “creative and flexible scheduling and programming,” hands‑on and project‑based instruction, and a school‑wide creed that sets expectations for behavior and work. “We are here to serve youth no matter who walks through our door,” Santos said.

Sierra’s current enrollment and student makeup were presented: 35 students at the time of the presentation (down from about 45 the same time last year), roughly 74% Hispanic, about 20% on individualized education programs, and a majority on attendance contracts. Santos and staff identified chronic absenteeism and credit deficiency as the main referral reasons. He described a district reading initiative that starts each school day with 20 minutes of silent reading and credited staff for a WASC accreditation cycle and reading‑focused English classes.

Sierra also hosts the STEP program (on the same grounds), which provides infant/toddler care and parenting classes for teen parents, and offers associated wraparound supports. Santos read a student comment collected for the board: “I never felt like I belonged in high school, but coming to Sierra High School, I feel a sense of belonging. I enjoy school now, and I feel like the teachers truly care about me.” He said student work from an English unit (Winter Counts) produced multimedia projects such as InstaReels shared with the board.

Coldstream, described as the district’s independent‑study program, gives students one‑hour weekly teacher meetings and is commonly used by student athletes who need flexible schedules. Santos said Coldstream had 5 full‑time students and 101 single‑subject students (students enrolled at Truckee or North Tahoe who take one course via Coldstream); four full‑time teachers and two support teachers serve those students. Staff highlighted on‑going student supports — counseling access and participation in district trips and SEL activities — and cited successes such as student athletes advancing to higher competition while keeping up academically.

The Truckee River program, returned to district operation in July 2022, serves students expelled, at risk of expulsion, on probation or with severe attendance issues. Santos reported about 10 students in the classroom at the time of the presentation, roughly 80% Hispanic and nearly all on school attendance review contracts. He said the program focuses on rehabilitating students and returning them to comprehensive sites or helping them graduate; staff noted two students exited the program during the year (one graduated midyear, one moved out of the area) and that the program had accepted four referrals that year.

Board members praised staff and the programs in follow‑up questions. Trustee Danielle said the programs feel like “a warm hug” that gives students “an adult in their corner,” and Trustee Kirsten noted “compassionate and kind” staff. Trustees asked about potential CTE (career and technical education) pathways for Sierra High — Santos said the district partners with Truckee High for many CTE classes and discussed exploring a possible agriculture/forestry‑related CTE pathway at Sierra given staff interest. Board members and staff also discussed attendance outreach efforts, including daily phone calls to absent students and family engagement work to increase participation.

Santos and staff described logistical constraints — small program sizes, limited physical space for Truckee River, and ongoing exploration of virtual therapy options — and said they are working on earlier referrals so students can be served sooner. The board and presenters agreed to a planned tour of program sites and student showcases in the coming week.

Ending: The presentation was informational; no formal board action was taken on the programs during the meeting. The board invited staff and program teachers to attend future site visits and encouraged continued work on attendance, parent engagement and possible CTE offerings.