Ridgefield School District’s Wisdom Ridge Academy is now accepting students from anywhere in the state of Washington.
The academy, which is an alternative learning experience (ALE), features a parent-partnered online learning program with flexible options for students, stated a news release.
“We are proud to offer students and families flexible learning opportunities to meet their individual needs,” said Allen Andringa, who is the director of ALE and business partnerships at Wisdom Ridge. “At Wisdom Ridge, students can learn in a format and pace that best suits their needs, all while still having access to certified teachers for expert guidance and support.”
Andringa spent the previous nine years of his career as an assistant principal at Ridgefield High School and has over 36 years of experience as an educator. He will replace Jessica Drake as the head of the program after Drake took a position in a neighboring school district.
Students at Wisdom Ridge Academy can simultaneously participate in other programs like Running Start, Cascadia Tech Academy, Ridgefield High School and View Ridge Middle School. This will allow students to take specialized classes like band, drama, athletics and other extracurricular activities, the release stated.
The academy uses online learning platforms like Accelerate Ed for grades K-12 and eDynamics for secondary level electives, which allows students to work at their own pace, stated the release. Besides online learning, Wisdom Ridge Academy also offers student-driven in-person “enrichment sessions” with certified teachers for 1.5 hour sessions. The sessions are meant to provide student interaction and social emotional learning support.
Each student at the academy is supposed to have an at-home “learning coach” like a parent or trusted adult who provides support, guidance, and a depth of knowledge to the student as they work through individual units and assignments, the release stated.
According to the release, teachers at Wisdom Ridge Academy are available daily for help. Any submitted work will be evaluated by the academy’s staff for accuracy and completion. If there are questions or the learning isn’t mastered yet, teachers will connect with the students and their families to reach possible solutions for support, stated the release.
All of the instructional materials are provided by the academy, but families need a suitable internet connection in order to participate.
Wisdom Ridge Academy is currently accepting applications for the 2022-23 school year. All current Ridgefield School District students are eligible to enroll. The program will also accept choice transfer students from outside of the district’s boundaries.
Those interested in enrolling can go online to ridgefieldwa.sites.thrillshare.com/o/wra/page/enrollment.
