Admission Information

Wolf Creek Brochure

What is TRIO Wolf Creek Distance Learning Charter School?

TRIO Wolf Creek Distance Learning Charter School #4095 is a tuition-free public charter school sponsored by Chisago Lakes School District #2144.  Instruction is technology based and the majority of work can be completed off campus.  Wolf Creek is a hybrid school offering online learning and a school lab.  It is recommended that students spend a minimum 25 hours a week on class assignments with 5 hours per week in our lab setting.  This lab time will include individual and group projects, technology workshops, testing, concurrent class time, and goal planning sessions.  Some students will choose to come to lab, while other students are successful completing all coursework via “distance learning”.

A Minnesota licensed teacher works in partnership with students and their families to develop and individualize graduation plans and calendars.  Learning goals are aligned with state and district requirements, as well as, curriculum outcomes.  Online courses offer the same rigorous academic standards that a student would receive at an on campus high school.

What do I need to know before enrolling my student?

The learner’s goal in this program is to achieve a NCA and CITA accredited High School diploma.

Students need to have access to a computer with the capacity to meet the requirements set forth in the program.  At a minimum the student should have high speed internet access, an e-mail account, Word document capability, hard drive space of at least 1700 MB and Windows 2000, XP, Vista or higher. 

The Learning Manager will coordinate the learning by assigning various learning modules, readings, projects, and activities.  Communication with the student and family will occur mainly through e-mail or the telephone.  It is required that there will be ongoing communication – both from the family/student and from the Learning Manager.  The instructor will keep the families updated on student progress.  Families/students will be informed about how and when the Learning Manager can be reached if emergencies, concerns or problems should arise.

 Parents/guardians of distance learners must have significant involvement to help assure the student’s success.  They must be available to help on a daily basis, as well as for special project assignments. 

A minimum of 20-25 hours per week on school work is needed for distance learning.  It may be necessary for students to increase the time to document adequate progress throughout the year.  Students may work on their coursework during the day, evenings, weekends or holidays.  The software will monitor and document the lesson content, time on task and accuracy of the work completed.  Students not attending to their school work will be put on academic probation and then will be referred to county truancy officers as appropriate.

Academic progress will be reported to the parent/guardian and student at regular intervals. Students and parents/guardians will receive grading grid each week; these documents are used to track student progress and to determine grades.  Report cards will be mailed home at the conclusion of each quarter. Students who are not independently motivated and conscientious about their work can fall behind and not receive credit due to lack of work completion.  A student will earn a diploma when the credit requirements for graduation have been met.

TWC (TRIO Wolf Creek Distance Learning Charter School) requires that students interested in participating in a sport/activity through the cooperative agreement with Chisago Lakes must notify the Charter School Director at least one month before the first practice for the sport/activity.  In addition, the TWC student must pay $50.00 to TWC for the paperwork involved in registering with the MSHSL.  If the student participates in the sport/activity for at least one month they will be refunded $25.00 from TWC.  All other Chisago Lakes fees pertaining to sports/activities will apply to the student as well. 

The transcript of a student graduating from TRIO Wolf Creek Charter School #4095 will show all courses completed.  These courses will apply to a student’s overall grade point average (GPA).  Home school grades will not count toward a GPA on the student transcript, but will be evaluated for equivalency for purposes of determining the placement of a student, courses to take, credits and standards. Class rank for Wolf Creek students will be calculated using only full-time students as markers.

Students planning on attending college should arrange with the Dean of Students or their Learning Manager to take the ACT and/or SAT test, as most post-secondary schools use the data from these tests for admission and placement purposes

Distance learning is not for everyone.  Students who are highly motivated and conscientious
about completing their work will be successful.

How and when can I enroll?

There are a limited number of enrollment positions available. Applications are accepted before the start of the school year and at the beginning of each quarter.  Throughout the school year students will be expected to be at the school lab for assigned testing dates and must arrange transportation to and from Wolf Creek for those days.

Students enrolled in another public school and can use Wolf Creek as an Online Learning Provider to access online learning curriculum in accordance with the online learning legislation. Students must complete all paperwork and follow all procedures as outlined in the most recent format of the legislation. 

Based on policy 624, as a charter school entity, TRIO Wolf Creek Distance Learning Charter School will accept enrollment based on 85% comprehensive students and 15% supplemental students (Supplemental services).  As a charter school, TRIO Wolf Creek Distance Learning Charter School may close for enrollment when the student numbers warrant closure.  A lottery will be held each spring if necessary for enrollment purposes.  Priority enrollment will be given to students enrolled the previous year at the charter school and siblings of students enrolled the previous year at the charter school.  After that lottery or enrollment period students will be accepted on a first come-first serve basis.  When necessary a waiting list will be created based on these same principals.  The TRIO Wolf Creek Distance Learning Charter School will accept enrollment until we are full based on predetermined student numbers and staffing capacities.

For additional information and an application form visit www.triowolfcreek.com or contact:

     ~Director, Tracy Quarnstrom: (651) 213-2017 or  tquarnstrom@chisagolakes.k12.mn.us    
     ~Dean of Students, Brenda Swanson: (651) 213-2037 or bswanson@chisagolakes.k12.mn.us