Advance Path: A school within a school

WASILLA — The first year of the Advance Path program at Wasilla High School was a success. Now in its second year, it has become increasingly popular for students who have difficulties within a traditional classroom.

Advance Path is aimed at helping kids who may be behind in credits, students who have dropped out or are at risk of dropping out, or who may need to graduate early. Their motto is “MY GIG,” which stands for “my goal is graduation,” and it is the purpose behind the program.

“The school itself is an alternate education format,” said Advance Path teacher Peter Kamilos.

Students who have trouble in a normal class schedule might find it easier to be in this program. It’s mainly an online course, except for some packets and study sheets that go with some of the courses.

“Advance Path is actually easier to focus in and has no major distractions,” said Advance Path student Richard Edwards.

Advance Path is like a job in way. Students have to clock in when they arrive, grab their folders with their study sheets and packets, then get to work. Students don’t really have a break time; they get to get up and walk around for a few minutes if they want to. At the end of their school day they have to clock back out.

“It’s your own time, you don’t have to be in a hurry to finish your work, it’s all independent and usually takes about two to three weeks to finish a course,” Edwards said.

Advance Path is a school within a school located within the halls of Wasilla High School, but is technically a separate entity. Students have to make a choice to either be a Wasilla High School student or an Advance Path student; they cannot be both. However, students are able walk with the Wasilla High School graduating class at the end of year. Students may attend the morning or afternoon sessions daily.

Dennis MacKinnon is the liaison between the Mat-Su Borough School District and Advance Path.

“The company (was) started by a group of business men that wanted to get rid of the negative connotation with the students,” he said.

The first program that was started was called PLAY-DOH and was strictly computer work only. The PLAY-DOH program didn’t last long due to the fact that students had no paperwork and were not really learning the meaning of work. Therefore, the Advance Path program was created, which uses both computer- and paperwork-based.

It’s a place that gives students a lot of help and a second chance. Giving people that second chance is a great thing, for it helps dropout numbers go down, helps more students graduate and gives them a better outlook for the future.

Valerie Irizarry is a senior at Wasilla High School.