Not every student thrives in a traditional classroom setting. Some face academic challenges, behavioral needs, or social-emotional issues.
As part of its Vision 2030 Strategic Plan, Reeds Spring Schools committed to evaluating and strengthening alternative support systems for students. That work has led to the creation of a new alternative school for students in grades 7–12.
“A task force visited multiple districts throughout the state, seeing the various ways alternative schools are run,” said Director of Special Services Garet Nunan. “We came away with some really good ideas to move us forward.”
The new alternative school will be located in a wing of Reeds Spring High School that is currently used as the district’s Central Office.
“It's critical that this program is in close proximity to the high school,” said Superintendent Dr. Cody Hirschi. “That way, students who are working through this program can get reintegrated into the traditional high school environment.”
The district has posted a job opening for a Personalized Achievement Coordinator. This person will lead the development of the alternative school.
“We want to serve these children with certified teachers, both general education teachers and special education teachers, so we can really give rich, content-deep instruction, along with social-emotional tools that will help these students build the skills to be successful outside of school,” Nunan said.
Creating the alternative school will require the district to relocate its Central Office. A new building will be constructed just north of the Table Rock Career Center.
“Over the last several years, we’ve been really good stewards of our finances and have built up enough reserves to be able to build a modest building to accommodate the Central Office,” Dr. Hirschi said.
Construction is expected to begin in late spring or early summer, with a goal of completion by spring 2027.
Once the Central Office is relocated, Table Rock Career Center construction students will assist with remodeling the high school wing, transforming it into a world-class environment for students.