Orchard and Monroe Virtual students tell board how alternative programs helped keep them on track
Summary
Students and staff described how Orchard Center High School and Monroe Virtual High School use PBIS, co-op placements and community partnerships to boost engagement; staff reported roughly 100 Orchard students and 96 virtual students and said early college acceptances and new CTE links are growing.
Orchard Center High School and Monroe Virtual High School students and staff presented program goals and student stories to the Monroe Public School Board on Dec. 10, describing efforts to keep students engaged through work-based learning, PBIS incentives and community partnerships.
"Our mission is to provide alternative routes to education for the students of Monroe by creating meaningful learning experiences," a school representative told the board, noting OCHS had about 100 students and MVHS about 96 as of the morning of the meeting. Staff said enrollment is expected to rise as additional students transfer during the year.
Courtney, who the board introduced as the virtual program director, outlined co-op and work-based learning placements: "This year, with me being at Orchard, we have incorporated the co-op work-based learning for students and we just had 2 new Orchard students start with the technology department today," she said. Staff added that students are participating in a Michigan College of Beauty program and that nine Orchard students received early acceptance to community college.
Students gave first-person accounts of why they chose the programs. Madison Fultz said she moved to MVHS after a difficult start in a traditional high school and is working at Hometown Pharmacy while pursuing a pharmacy technician license: "I started at Monroe Virtual High School my 9th grade year after a rough year... I have excelled in online courses and worked diligently to get good grades." Deshira Overstreet and Josiah Mincey described smaller environments and flexible scheduling as key to their success.
School staff highlighted PBIS incentives, volunteer events and partnerships with local employers and public agencies to create pathways to postsecondary options. They asked the board to continue support as the programs grow and to welcome students back for future updates.
The presentation closed with thanks to the board and an invitation for board members to attend an Orchard graduation and upcoming student events.
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