Transition Academy Helps Students

Transition Academy Keeps Students Connected During Tough Times

At the beginning of the school year, Ashley Budjako didn’t think graduating from high school was a goal she could reach by May. Previously, she’s struggled to stay motivated in school, sometimes even falling asleep in her classes.

“Most of my classroom experiences were too slow for me. I was bored,” said the Fort Collins High School senior, who didn’t know how she would complete her required credits in time for graduation.

Budjako then enrolled in the FCHS Transition Academy, a new program that lets struggling students work at their own pace through online courses or monitored bookwork. The program was established to help prevent students, who may be dealing with attendance, behavior, health or academic issues, from dropping out of school. The goal is to keep students connected to school and return them to a full-time academic setting as quickly as possible.

The Transition Academy, open during regular school hours, has 13 seats in the classroom for each period. Presently 30 students, referred to the program by their counselor, are enrolled in the academy, taking a total of almost 70 classes.

“This is a holding place for them while they get things figured out and until we can put them back in regular classes,” says Tom Myers, FCHS assistant principal and Transition Academy coordinator. “We’re keeping them hooked and engaged in our school.”

Previously if students had issues like poor attendance in one or two classes, but were successful in other classes, they would still be removed from school because of the attendance issues. Consequently, they would lose all of their credits. The Transition Academy gives students another avenue to gain or recover credits toward graduation.

“If we can get them five, 10 or 15 credits, it’s better than nothing,” says Myers. “We’re trying to keep them connected so despite whatever they’re going through, they are seeing progress in school.”

The average Transition Academy student completes two courses in six weeks. Students earn five credits for each course they complete.

Previously FCHS students who were at risk of dropping out of school were referred to other Poudre School District programs not connected to the high school. By this time last year, FCHS had referred about 50 students to other programs.

“This year we’ve sent zero students (to other programs),” says Myers, adding that students referred to other programs often don’t show up because of roadblocks like transportation.

Monty Alcaraz, Transition Academy program director, said having the academy housed in the high school keeps students connected academically and socially.

“You get the best of both worlds,” says Alcaraz. “We need to find a way to meet kids’ needs. Otherwise, we’re going to lose them.”

 Well into her first semester as a senior, Budjako has almost completed three online courses through the Transition Academy, and is presently taking three regular classes as well.

“This has made a huge difference in my life. At first I thought I wasn’t going to graduate this year, but this has helped me get my credits,” says Budjako, who knows that graduation is a real possibility for her now.

Budjako’s family is also very excited to see her success in school. “They are amazed that I was able to turn everything around and pull up all my grades to A’s so far,” she said.

PSD’s other three comprehensive high schools, Fossil Ridge High School, Poudre High School and Rocky Mountain High School, also offer credit recovery programs for their students. For more information about these programs, please contact the school.