AI shows off new programs, location

Building 14 on the campus of Clover Park Technical College was brimming with students—high school students—for Alternatives for Individuals (AI) High School’s showcase on March 14. The event was designed to welcome parents and community members to AI’s new location, and to highlight the school’s new program along with student talents and awards.

The talent portion of the evening included poetry readings, songs and even a Fijian War Dance. The school’s ASB offers were then recognized, along with members of the Jobs for America’s Graduates (JAG) program, who were inducted into their leadership roles. The school’s new student-designed t-shirts were unveiled and available for purchase and the winners of the schoolwide food drive—Kitti Wheeler’s class—were announced. In total, AI’s 60 students contributed 876 food items to Caring for Kids. Wheeler’s class contributed 462 items and earned a pizza party.

Principal Deb Shanafelt and Vice Principal Kevin Rupprecht gave a historical overview of the program changes to AI, which began in 2008, when the district convened an Alternative Learning Task Force. The task force recommended partnering with the technical college to provide more career and technical programs for AI students. Most notably, AI moved into building 14 on the CPTC campus to share space with Northwest Career and Technical High School (NWCTHS). AI students will be granted entrance into NWCTHS to earn their 11th- and 12th-grade credits to enter a career pathways program. Additionally, students can earn Tech Prep Dual Credits, college credits and even an associate's degree from CPTC.

The event ended with student-led tours of the new facility.

For more information about AI, visit their website under the “Schools” tab on the Clover Park School District website, www.cloverpark.k12.wa.us.