Online High School Helps Teens Finish School

Insight School of Washington offers alternative solution for students

SEATTLE, April 28 /PRNewswire/ -- Amid recent reports that America's high
schools are in crisis, with drop-out rates as high as 48 percent in major
cities, there is a Washington high school that's working to reverse the trend
by drawing students back to school. More than 40 percent of students enrolled
in Insight School of Washington weren't attending public school when they
enrolled. Twenty percent of them weren't attending school at all.
Currently enrolling students for its third year, Insight offers one-on-one
assistance and flexibility that helps students return to school and stay in
school regardless of their circumstances.
"Insight meets students where they are both personally and educationally,"
says Keith Oelrich, founder and CEO of Insight Schools. "They have to be
motivated to be a successful student, but we remove barriers to learning and
provide a level of flexibility and mentorship that is unmatched in traditional
settings."
According to The Silent Epidemic, a report by the Gates Foundation, a
majority of the students who fail to graduate had grades of C or better.
Nearly 50 percent of these students said that class was not interesting and
that they were bored and disengaged. Of those that left for personal reasons,
32 percent had to get a job, 26 percent became parents, and 22 percent had to
care for a family member.
Insight attracts many such students that haven't always been well-served
in a traditional school setting: full-time wage earners; students with health
or physical challenges; advanced learners; home-schooled students; and those
who may have struggled socially or had safety concerns at a traditional
school. Insight's wide range of course offerings (more than 120 courses),
"iMentors," for each student, and ability to match the student's pace help
students overcome some of the challenges they may face in a "bricks and
mortar" school.
Insight's iMentor program is a unique offering in the online education
world. The program is a comprehensive approach to ensure that students get the
support they need. In addition to the iMentor program students have 24-hour
technical and tutoring support available to them, on-demand seven days a week.
Teachers also provide a high level of individual support. "I get a level
of interaction with my students that's not typical in a public school," says
Tara Rowland, an Insight science instructor. "I can chat with students during
the school week and check in with families when I need to. I can help all of
my students to push and finish out the class strong."
This year, Insight of Washington was approved for a full six-year
accreditation, the maximum term, by the NAAS (Northwest Association of
Accredited Schools). The school also provides opportunities for students to
interact beyond the classroom. Students participate in online clubs with
topics ranging from journalism to photography to a parenting club. There will
be an all-student prom in June and a graduation ceremony.
To ensure accessibility to students across the state, the school provides
a laptop and printer to all enrolled students as well as an orientation
session to ensure that students are prepared for the basic logistics of online
learning.
About Insight School of Washington:
Insight School of Washington is a tuition-free, full-time, diploma-
granting online public high school made possible through a partnership between
Insight Schools, Inc. and Quillayute Valley School District. For more
information, see http://www.insightwa.net.
MEDIA NOTE:
Insight School of Washington is holding information sessions for
interested families in April and May. Details on information sessions are on
the website.http://www.insightwa.net
Interview opportunities are available with Insight founders, local
executive directors, teachers and students.
SOURCE Insight School of Washington

Christine Stepherson, +1-206-528-2550, christine@teamsoapbox.com, for Insight
School of Washington