Houston area gets new alternative high school

MAT-SU -- Valley teens will have a new opportunity to earn high school diplomas with the opening near Houston of Mid-Valley High School, modeled after the Mat-Su Borough School District's other alternative schools. Burchell High School in Wasilla has been forced to turn away 90 students so far, according to Burchell High School teacher JoAnne Collins, because of the 250-student cap in effect this year, and placed them on a waiting list. These and other students who currently don't attend high school now have somewhere to go.

Targeted for an Oct. 26 start date, the Mid-Valley High School will open. A suitable location has already been picked and negotiations have begun. The location under negotiation is the Faith Bible Fellowship church in Big Lake, where the Student Center, another program in the network of alternative schools, is currently located. The location should be finalized days from now acording to Dave Holmquist, principal of Burchell High, Valley Pathways and other alternative schools in the Mat-Su School District, including the new Mid-Valley High School. The new school will have a counselor and three teachers, added to the four staff members already a part of the Student Center. One of these teachers will become the lead teacher. Also being added are two or three other classrooms and an office.

"The need for this new school is because of the great demand for this program," Holmquist said. Some of the students who already attend Burchell High School live in the Houston and Big Lake areas, making the new school more convenient should they choose to change schools. Students currently attending Houston High and Su-Valley High schools will have a new alternative choice closer to home, which may also alleviate the waiting list at Burchell High.

According to Holmquist, it didn't take much time for him and Scott Warren, Burchell High School's assistant principal, to convince Mat-Su School District's interim superintendent Bob Doyle to give the go ahead for this new school, which will be funded with money from the Mat-Su School District and enhanced by grants.

"Bob Doyle recognized the need for students to be in school and was quick to approve the project," Holmquist said.

The success of other alternative schools in the Mat-Su School District persuaded Doyle of the need, according to Holmquist.

"As of Oct. 3 we have added five new students to Burchell High School because of the room freed up by students moving to the new school, which has been really great," said Diane Demoski, the grant manager for several programs in the district. "With the large number of students out of school and a huge waiting list for Burchell High, this school is a great addition to our program."

Warren agreed. "There are many students who aren't in school in other places and we are building programs to draw these students," he said.

Regarding the need for alternative schools, Holmquist said, "This is great for the kids and the community; it gives kids who may not have had a good future a chance at a good future."

"I'm so excited about this. To me it's a dream fulfilled to have alternative schools in every part of the Mat-Su area," Holmquist said. "The staff and students of all the alternative schools have been great about helping and have had a positive impact on this effort."

Kelly Sidebottom, the administrative assistant at Valley Pathways who came up with the name for the school, said, "It's awesome! I love working with this program and making a positive difference in these student's lives."

"This is a much-needed school, and I'm just thrilled that we can give students in the Houston area another chance and choice," she said.

Students in the Houston and Big Lake areas, who would be interested in attending this school, are urged to call Burchell High at 373-7775.