Clarkston launches new school

The Clarkston School District has received approval from the state of Washington to open a new K-12 school to help meet the needs of families who choose to home-school their children.

Lessons through Clarkston Home Alliance, the district’s new public school, will be parent-instructed and parent-driven, but those who enroll in the program will be able to access additional support from the district.

“We want this experience to provide families a partnership with the Clarkston School District where they get flexibility and choice, while we provide curriculum, support, enrichment activities and a state approved high school diploma,” said Michelle Nicholas, the instructor of the program, in a news release.

Nicholas, a former teacher at Heights Elementary School, will work with as many as 40 students and their families.

Parents will be able to use an online curriculum provided through the district, or they can choose to use another curriculum as long as it meets state standards.

Troy Whittle, the district’s assistant superintendent and executive director of teaching and learning, said students in the program will also be able to participate in sports, extracurricular activities and classes offered through the district’s brick-and-mortar schools.

The pilot program launched with limited enrichment activities, but Whittle hopes to expand those offerings to include things like field trips.

“Our goal is to really have the parents guide us in the development of this program and make it what they want it to be,” Whittle said.

Enrollment has been capped at 40 students for the first year of Clarkston Home Alliance. Most families will have to reside within the district’s boundaries in order to participate, but 10 percent, or four students, will be allowed to enroll in the program from neighboring districts.

If the pilot is successful, the district plans to pursue a multi-district approach, which would open the program to more students in the region.

So far, fewer than 10 students have enrolled, but Whittle expects the program to reach its capacity.

The new public school was launched in part because of the coronavirus pandemic. The district wanted to provide an option with the flexibility of home schooling, but with a built-in support system from an experienced educator.

“We are really sensitive to choice for our parents right now given our current situation,” Whittle said. “We have just shy of 400 kids who opted for online classes even though we are doing face-to-face (instruction.) We anticipate some kids will want to keep that going. Clarkston Home Alliance will be their long-term option.”

The district will receive state funding for each child enrolled in Clarkston Home Alliance. The program was self-funded by the district.

“The startup costs aside from staff are fairly minimal,” Whittle said. “We need 10 kids to pay for the teacher, and once we get beyond that we can enhance it, get more teachers and provide more enrichment activities.”

Open enrollment will continue until the program reaches its capacity.

Those seeking more information may contact Nicholas at (509) 769-5533 or nicholasmi@csdk12.org. Parents can also contact Julie Reitz at (509) 769-5539 or reitzj@csdk12.org.

Tomtas may be contacted at jtomtas@lmtribune.com or at (208) 848-2294. Follow her on Twitter @jtomtas.