By Brenda Sexton-The Courier-Herald
Rachell Brant comes from Orting.
Matthew Hazard hails from Enumclaw.
Caitlin Bassett lives in Bonney Lake and Luke Jackson, Buckley.
All four eighth-grade students are on the White River School District's Choice Program campus twice a week. The remainder of the school week they are under the tutelage of their parents.
The Choice Program is one of a growing number of parent-partnership programs in Washington state. This particular program began 12 years ago with 12 students. It is part of the Collins Alternative Program cooperative with the White River, Sumner, Enumclaw and Orting school districts. However, Principal Marcie Polin noted, the program does enroll students outside the four districts when space is available.
Enrollment has been as high as 130 students with a waiting list.
“It's a program geared for families that want to be intentionally involved with their children's education,” Polin said.
An informational meeting is set for 6:30 p.m. May 8 in the Choice campus computer lab. The Choice campus sits on the east side of Glacier Middle School in a cluster of portable buildings.
“It's more flexible than public school and more independent than being homeschooled,” said Jackson during his art and history class. “I like the independence part.”
“It's often called the homeschool program, but it is not,” Polin emphasized. “But it often appeals to parents who have opted to home school.”
But Choice students are enrolled in the public school system.
It is open to students in grades four through 12. Students in grades 4 through 7 meet Tuesdays and Thursdays while those in grades 8, 9 and 10 meet Mondays and Wednesdays. The majority of junior and seniors, Polin explained, are involved in the state's early-college program Running Start.
Choice's five teachers provide the “regular” general curriculum. Students' off days are filled with parent-driven programs and enrichment. The school is also known for its hands-on study, which is often field trips and performances around the state that involve the entire family.
“It's very hands-on,” Polin said. “There's a lot of learning activity done at home.
“It is a true parent partnership.”
Polin meets with parents throughout the year. Teachers and students also meet on a regular basis throughout the school year to keep everyone on course and involved.
In June, an all-time high 15 students will graduate from the Choice Program.
“Some of these kids have been here since the fourth or fifth grade,” Polin said.
That's what teacher Kim Merrick loves about the program.
“My favorite thing about this job is they come young and stay,” she said. “(At other schools) teachers don't get to watch them grow up. We get to do that here.”
That atmosphere builds bonds and relationships that foster learning.
“The big thing that's different about here is we know them,” Merrick said. “We know their parents. We know their siblings. We know their pets.”
“I like the kids and the teachers. I think it's a lot of fun,” said Bassett, one of Merrick's eighth-grade students, who was recently sharing some down time in class with fellow students after days of Washington Assessment of Student Learning (WASL) testing.
“The kids are awesome,” Polin said. “You wouldn't find a nicer place to have your kids. The kids are kind, and good, and motivated.
For example, she said, she hasn't been on campus for a discipline issue this year.
“The parents are equally as nice to work with,” Polin said.
“This is a family school,” she said. “And the relationships between kids and teachers and parents in fantastic.
“It's very cool. It's a great model.”
Polin said the program continues to evolve to meet the wants of parents, the needs of students and the state's academic requirements. As part of that continuing process, Polin said leaders are hoping to integrate the Choice Program with the district's on-line program in the future.
