Burchell High gets high marks from Department of Education

WASILLA — A Valley school that often gets overlooked is gaining some national recognition for the success of its after-school program.

Just north of Wasilla on the Parks Highway, Burchell High School is an alternative school that allows more flexibility for students with scheduling conflicts and special considerations. With a grant from the U.S. Department of Education, one of the opportunities Burchell offers is an after-school program where students can earn credit toward graduation.

Diane Demoski, who oversees administration of funds from the 21st Century Learning Grant, said the program runs from 1:30 to 6 p.m. five days a week. There are three periods of 90-minute classes each day, and the subjects switch every quarter.

“They are mostly elective classes in language arts, science and a math lab. We have art classes, dance classes, food and nutrition, foreign languages, journalism and outdoor recreation,” Demoski said.

Students can sign up for any of the classes offered each quarter.

Enrollment for the fall quarter of this year’s program is 175 students, she said. That is 71 percent of the school’s total enrollment of around 245. Demoski expects this percent to rise as the year progresses and students are trying to fulfill graduation requirements.

“The ninth- and 10th-graders are a little reluctant. They haven’t bought into it yet,” she said. “Once they see the benefit, we have an amazing number of students staying at school from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. or even 6 p.m.”

It is this enrollment rate that attracted the attention of the Department of Education.

With government money comes government paperwork. Every education program funded by the feds is required to submit detailed reports about its enrollment and practices. Using these numbers, the Department of Education is studying high school after-school programs across the country to define the best practices of each.

From hundreds of programs, the top 100 were identified. Each of these completed a survey, and the top 20 were selected for on-site visits and analysis. The program at Burchell was included in this top group.

Duane Rupert, one of the consultants hired to do the study, said what stands out to him about the program in Wasilla is the transition from the school day to the after-school program.

“It’s seamless. It looks and feels like the regular school day,” Rupert said. “There is a philosophical approach where trust is built between the students and the adults. This builds aspirations for them to go on and graduate.”

Offering high-interest classes, and credit for these classes, no doubt leads to the high enrollment rate, Rupert said.

From case studies of the 20 top programs, the Department of Education will publish a report of its findings. The best practices should be replicated across the country and lend some validity to high school after-school programs, Rupert said. These are programs that are often poorly funded.

That would please Demoski, who sees a larger function for after-school programs than just helping students graduate.

“Not only are they getting credit, but what a great way to prevent drug and alcohol abuse,” Demoski said. “Studies show the after school hours are the most likely time for kids to get into trouble.”

Contact Todd L. Disher at todd.disher@frontiersman.com or 352-2252.