Austin Online Academy growth more than just the numbers

Yahoo

15 hours ago

Jun. 6—In late May, the Austin Public Schools District released its latest numbers reflecting graduates from its Austin Online Academy (AOA).
In just three short years the number of graduates has expanded from under 10 the first year, 2022-23, to 52 this year reflecting a growing popularity of the alternative learning style the AOA offers.
Even though comparing the first and third year is akin to comparing the proverbial apples to oranges, it nevertheless speaks to what the AOA can do for students not wanting a traditional education template.
"I think year one was just a lot of learning of who a successful student is," said AOA and Alternative Learning Center Principal Jessica Cabeen. "Based on that knowledge and obviously the dedicated, seasoned teachers we have in that program, it's really increased."
A breakdown of the numbers shows continuing inclination to explore what the AOA has to offer students in four primary areas: non-Austin students, unique districts outside of Austin, supplemental students taking up to three courses and comprehensive students taking all courses.
In 2022-23, the program had just seven non-Austin students, students from unique districts and comprehensive students and no supplemental students. In the next two years, those first three areas showed rapid growth and supplemental students, while not quite so steep, still showed growth.
Even between the first and second semesters of this school year, there was solid growth:
—Non-Austin: Semester 1 — 37; Semester 2 — 49
—Unique Districts: Semester 1 — 24; Semester 2 — 30
—Comprehensive Students: Semester 1 — 30; Semester 2 — 44
Cabeen said there are multiple layers to the growth, but primarily she narrows it down to two areas — word getting out and the teachers in the AOA.
"That word of mouth and those relationships are really what's helping brand our program," Cabeen said.
The AOA falls under the alternative umbrella model of education at the school, growing on the same tree as the ALC. Both are meeting students where they are and largely that's because of flexibility in the programming.
Students generally choose the AOA because of its flexibility.
"The flexibility is a big piece to it," Cabeen said. "We have a lot of fifth and sixth-year seniors that really want to get that diploma, but don't want to be in a brick and mortar setting."
The reasons for this can be varying, but Cabeen said it's how the program recognizes these challenges that can make a difference.
"They kind of like coming to us because our teachers are a clean slate," she said. "There's no judgment, there's no guilt. We're here to help you learn and we're really excited when they make that final walk."
One of the areas that has helped the AOA grow has been the NCAA endorsement, which few online schools have. It plays into the plans of students hoping to continue playing athletics in college.
An example of this has been Aidan Martinez, who will be playing soccer at the University of Wisconsin and currently playing for Minnesota United FC 2, a professional developmental team in the Twin Cities.
Cabeen added that there is a possibility of reaching out even further to teams like the Austin Bruins if the interest is there.
"I can see us starting to branch out into some of these other amateur athletics that students are looking for," Cabeen said.
Ultimately, what the numbers reflect is a growing avenue for students looking for alternative routes or even second chances.
Second chances that could be life-changing.
"I think what I'm noticing is that some of these students, if they wouldn't come here they wouldn't graduate," Cabeen said, picking out one story to relate of a student outside of the district that nearly aged out of his school. "I wonder for a student like that, if he hadn't had this opportunity, would his next step look different? I think that's something I'm excited about is helping support students that maybe didn't see themselves as a graduate, graduating — in a non-traditional way, but still graduating."