Expo Alternative Learning Center

Brenton Shavers, Principal

Welcome to the Expo Alternative Learning Center!

The goal of Alternative Education in the Waterloo Community School District is to provide our students with individualized learning opportunities that address their educational needs in a safe and nurturing environment.

At the Expo Alternative Learning Center, we believe that all of our students are capable of learning in our small learning community.  We strive to provide our students with the highest quality of instruction based on proven practice and research. We use data to drive our instruction and to determine which students may need supplemental and intensive supports.  We work diligently to ensure that our students receive the education they will need to become strong members of the community.  We have a highly qualified and progressive teaching staff that is committed to providing our students with relevant and rigorous instruction through the use of technology and community resources.  We work hard to reach each student academically as well as socially and emotionally.

The Expo Alternative Learning Center has six educational programs within a single school building.

• Expo Alternative High School is designed to educate students in danger of failing and/or dropping out of school for various reasons.  Expo Alternative High School provides a unique approach by utilizing technology to enhance instruction.  Teachers are assigned to students and meet daily the entire length of the student’s enrollment in order to create meaningful relationships with the student, their families, support networks, and any other significant adults in their lives.
• The Graduation Connection (Grad Connect) is an individualized credit recovery program for various identified students on a graduation plan who need additional credits in order to graduate. Students apply through their home school counselor/administrator and attend at a designated time, Monday through Thursday. Students sign an individualized contract based on their graduation plan and are required to make steady progress toward completion of that contract.
• The WEBC Program educates students from middle and high schools who are demonstrating behaviors that distract them from the learning environment.  Students assigned to this program have varied lengths of stay and have to demonstrate the ability to responsibly manage their behavior prior to transitioning back to their home school or district.
• The Bridge Program works with 8^th grade students from the four area middle schools who are at-risk of failing and/or possibly being retained.  Students are referred to this program by their home school administrator and/or counselor.
• The STAR-C Program specializes in educating special needs students in grades 6^th-12^th who have significant behavior concerns.  Students must be staffed into the program by recommendation of the home school IEP Team.
• The Transition Alliance Program (TAP) is to develop and implement a new pattern of service to youth with disabilities.  The goal is to increase successful employment through collaborative efforts.  Students participating in TAP are referred by their home school IEP Team based on their needs in developing skills to be successful in obtaining, maintaining, and regaining employment.

Thank you for taking the time to visit our school website.  Please feel free to visit our school and experience our positive atmosphere for yourself.

Sincerely,

Brenton Shavers
Principal, Expo Alternative Learning Center