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Elkhorn Area School District spotlights Options program as students earn large numbers of college credits
Summary
District presenters highlighted the Options virtual program’s dual-credit pathways, reporting 273 college credits completed last fall and that roughly 44% of juniors and seniors are enrolled in college courses; several students detailed pathway-specific placements and credits earned.
District staff used the Jan. 12 school-board meeting to highlight the Options program and its dual-credit opportunities, telling the board the virtual program offers an uncommon dual-programming model that allows students to combine high-school and college coursework.
A district presenter said Options students produced 273 college credits in the fall semester, attended eight different colleges and universities, and that participation in dual-credit courses rose about 4% from fall to spring. "Forty-four percent of our Options juniors and seniors are currently enrolled in a college course," the presenter said during the board meeting.
Becca Queenie Pomo, identified in the meeting as Options’ dual programming specialist, introduced four students in a spotlight segment. She said Constance, a senior, will graduate having earned 46 college credits through UW–Whitewater; Solomon, also a senior, is pursuing a fire-science technical diploma at Gateway and is on track to finish about 21 credits this year; Addie, a junior in the Rising Phoenix partnership with UW–Green Bay, has 30 credits after her first year; and Kaylee, a senior who attends Northeast Wisconsin Technical College, is expected to finish the year with 57 college credits and plans to transfer to UW–Milwaukee.
Students described how flexibility and an assigned student-success coordinator make it possible to combine athletics, work and college coursework. A student athlete, Mia, said the program’s asynchronous scheduling let her practice travel with the Milwaukee Sting while taking dual-credit courses at Gateway.
District staff told the board they are beginning alumni outreach to track longer-term outcomes; staff also said they plan to develop student video content and marketing to showcase opportunities and help recruit families who seek dual-programming options.
The presentation drew questions from board members about graduate follow-up data and how Options compares to other statewide virtual programs; presenters said they have started building an alumni network to gather that information. There was no formal board action on the Options presentation at the meeting.
