MONROE — Since opening in 2017, 175 students have earned high school diplomas from Success Virtual Learning Centers of Michigan’s Monroe campus .
“100 percent of them wouldn’t have graduated (in traditional settings),” said Jamie Dunn, regional director for Success and a certified school administrator.
A public charter high school, Success Virtual Learning Centers ' Monroe campus offers free education and resources, like social workers and life necessities, for students ages 14-21. Monroe’s staff of eight includes a full-time teacher. This year, more than 120 students are enrolled in Monroe's program, and more can still sign up.
“Class starts the day they start,” Dunn said.
Some local school districts, including Monroe Public Schools, offer their own virtual learning programs. MPS also offers an alternative education program at Orchard Center High School. The local districts’ programs are not part of Success Virtual Learning Centers.
Previous Coverage: Success Virtual Learning offers new path to graduation
Success' Monroe campus is at 1000 S. Monroe St., in the former Monroe Bank & Trust branch in Monroe's Kroger plaza. In fact, Success’ first Monroe graduate stumbled upon the center while getting a sandwich at Kroger.
“Word-of-mouth, that’s the biggest way we get enrollment. Students tell their friends. Principals from other schools and counselors refer someone,” said Melanie Beste, the Monroe campus' director. Beste has a master’s degree in teaching; she’s a certified secondary social studies teacher.
“I love it here,” she said. “This is what I dreamed I’d do as an educator. I feel like I get to connect with the kids, help them one-on-one and build relationships.”
What is Success Virtual Learning?
Success Virtual Learning, which has 11 centers in Michigan, offers a fully virtual way for students to earn a high school diploma. Although in-person access is available every weekday, students are only required to come in-person for enrollment, orientation and state tests.
“Most work from home. We are open 8 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Some need help to do the schoolwork or need a peaceful and quiet place,” Beste said. “We have very little behavior issues. They come in when they want to be here.”
The Monroe center has 12 computer stations, and students are also issued their own Chromebook. Students can get help from teachers certified in various subjects by phone, video, chat or text, even on evenings and weekends. A science teacher is based in Monroe. Teachers in other subjects are based at other Success locations.
The program is federally funded, so tuition is free for students.
Success uses the online Edgenuity program, which uses prerecorded videos and text for instruction. Students fully complete one class before starting another, which is different from most other virtual school programs, Beste said.
Success also awards a high school diploma after students complete 18 credits in core classes, which is Michigan’s graduation minimum. Most traditional brick-and-mortar schools require 24-27 credits, which includes several electives, Beste said.
Who are Success’ students?
Students come to Success for many reasons.
“Some are not making it in brick-and-mortar. Every kids deserves a second chance,” Dunn said. "Half are credit- deficient. Anxiety is a big reason, so is bullying. Some are going into the military. They say, ‘I’ve got to get this done.’”
Many Success students have life challenges, such as homelessness and parenthood. Others are ill and have to do schoolwork around treatments. Some have aged-out of traditional school and would need to enroll in a GED program. Others attend traditional high school, but take summer classes at Success to catch up on credits. Some need a diploma for their jobs.
“We had a lineman. He was working, but he hit a paywall. He couldn’t go further without going to school. He was 21 and said, ‘Can you help me?,'” Beste said. “Older students are a great population to serve. They think it’s too late.”
A traditional graduation ceremony is held each year at Monroe County Community College. Many never expected they’d graduate.
“It is amazing to see the life challenges, and they can overcome it,” Dunn said.
Meeting mental and physical needs
Many of Success’ students have needs beyond education.
“We were able to add social workers two or three years ago,” Beste said. “Mental health is important. Nicole goes to us and the Taylor center. The kids know on Mondays to see Miss Nicole.”
Beste also connects students with local assistance, if they ask.
“They have many needs beyond education, like hunger, trauma, living on their own and don’t know how to budget, anxiety. Homeless is a significant population. Monroe has an amazing network of human services organizations. I have a speed dial for every single one of them,” Beste said.
In-house, Beste offers a closet stocked with food and items like towels, shampoo, laundry pods and hygiene items.
“They grab what they need,” Beste said. In the breakroom, she offers what she calls “teenager snacks.”
“They are welcome to go in. They can use the office to meet with a parole officer or mental health worker. It makes them feel wanted and accepted," Beste said. "So often, the at-risk community is pushed off to the corner. The world tells them they’re not important.”
“It’s a safe place to come,” Dunn said.
Other Success offerings
Success offers a free lunch every Wednesday. Pizza is typically the students' choice.
Educational services include special education programs, English as a Second Language and services for people with disabilities.
College and career services include college advisors who can help with FAFSA forms, an annual career fair, career exploration and dual enrollment.
Monroe’s clubs cover e-sports, science, art, books, board games and Dungeons & Dragons.
Socialization is especially stressed now, because the current Monroe Success population is younger than in previous years. Typically, older students are busy with jobs or other obligations when they’re not doing schoolwork, Beste said.
“We give the opportunity for comradery and social time. It’s a great thing to see,” Beste said.
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Both she and Dunn encourage Monroe County residents to consider Success' program.
“If somebody is having thoughts of ‘I don’t want to go to traditional school because of X,’ it’s a great reason to consider us,” Dunn said. “There should be no barrier to education, not personal or environmental. Come see us and see how it fits into your life.”
To learn more about Success Virtual Learning Centers, visit its website , call the center at 616-794-6329 or visit Facebook . To learn about virtual education programs at Monroe County school districts, call the district's administration office.
— Contact reporter Suzanne Nolan Wisler at swisler@monroenews.com .
This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: Success Virtual Learning in Monroe offers fully virtual path to high school diploma
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