Twenty-four is the magic number for seniors—the number of credits it takes each member of the Class of ’11 to graduate this May. However, for students who think they may fall short, there is still hope.
Rockwood School District’s Credit Recovery Evening School allows students in need of a couple more credits to meet their graduation requirements on time. The Individualized Learning Center (ILC) offers courses on Thursday nights from 4p.m. – 6p.m. Due to low enrollment, only one time slot is available, but in the spring the ILC will offer courses from 4p.m. – 6p.m. and from 6:30p.m. – 8:30p.m. Students have the opportunity to enroll in classes during the first session in the fall and again in the spring. Each session is 10 weeks long and allows students to gain up to one credit.
The district employs Rockwood certified teachers at the night school and offers courses required for graduation, including health, personal finance, fine arts courses and other core classes.
Dr. Michael Hylen, director of the night school, said almost the entire program is online, but once every week for two hours students must complete all online work at the ILC where they have the chance to meet with a teacher for help and to ask questions.
Dr. Hylen said one of the main misconceptions about the night school is that it is an easy way to pick up credits.
“It’s harder than a lot of people think with a lot of independent work and reading and there is still a good amount of people who fail,” Dr. Hylen said.
Terri Myers, language arts and social studies night school teacher, said students’ expectations of the night school are often lower than reality.
“They are academic classes with the same rigor as any other classes and it is accelerated because an entire semester of work is completed in nine weeks,” Myers said. “It is computer-driven instruction, so teacher interaction is limited.”
Even with this level of difficulty, Myers said the night school works.
“I think the program is a viable option for students who are only a credit or a half-credit behind for graduation,” Myers said. “It is beneficial to students who are willing to put in enough work to learn the material. We had many students pass and graduate on time last year.”
Last year, 81 percent of 58 night school students graduated.
Senior Principal Carl Hudson also viewed the program as beneficial toward students, especially seniors.
“Anything that helps students attain a diploma and graduate is a positive thing,” Hudson said.
Dr. Hylen agreed that the program is valuable.
“Some students might not have walked with their class in May had they not taken the night school courses,” Dr. Hylen said.
Rockwood night school session fees are $89 per half credit, compared to the $375 cost for the Missouri Virtual Instruction Program (MoVIP).
The deadline for spring session applications is Wednesday, Jan. 20. Applications can be found on the ILC website, www.rockwood.k12.mo.us/ilc.