News and Updates

March 2010
"Attendance Policy and Truancy Procedures of an Online School" Article

The definition of truancy at an online school does not mirror the definition of truancy at a traditional school.  At the traditional school, students arrive at school or do not arrive at school, sit in classes or do not sit in classes, and either attend school or are considered truant if their lack of attendance does not fit into the excused categories provided by the laws of the students’ states of residence.  Attendance is considered physically sitting in a seat for the determined number of minutes or hours that the school holds academic programming.  State legislators have written truancy laws with traditional schools in mind; however, students attending online schools must adhere to these laws as well.   This article will examine how these laws apply to online students and the role of online schools in the enforcement of these laws.  In addition, this article will advocate for online schools to take the lead in providing a clear definition of attendance as well as to cooperate and to collaborate with state departments which oversee truancy enforcement.  One should note that the information in this article will illustrate these concepts using Minnesota truancy laws and the policies and procedures of Wolf Creek Online High School, an online hybrid charter high school in Minnesota.  Click here for full article


March 15, 2010

Wolf Creek Staff at the Capital

Wolf Creek Online High School Director Tracy Quarnstrom and Special Education Teacher Kelly Legg spent a day over spring break visiting the capital in St. Paul to discuss the importance of quality charter schools in the state of Minnesota.  Tuesday, March 9th was recognized as Minnesota Charter School Day at the capital and over 400 representatives from various charter schools around the state were in attendance for the event.  The event was sponsored by the Minnesota Association of Charter Schools. It was designed to showcase the high quality charter schools that are present in the state of Minnesota. 

Minnesota currently has 150 charter schools in existence with 4 new schools approved for the fall of 2010. Charter Schools offer students choices in education and are approved under the premise that they offer something new and innovative for educational communities.  Charter Schools are public schools in the state of Minnesota and receive funds in much the same way as residential school districts receive funds.  Charter Schools also follow the same requirements of public school entities such as testing and enrolling all students based on ability levels.

Quarnstrom and Legg met with both Chisago Lakes legislators, Representative Jeremy Kallin and Senator Rick Olseen, during their time at the capital.  Since Legg resides in the Apple Valley/Rosemount district they also met with several of her legislators.  The day was very productive and many enlightening conversations were started on that day.

Wolf Creek Online High School is Minnesota’s only hybrid high school model where students have an opportunity to come to school for as much at two days per week, and spend the remainder of the time working from home on computer based curriculum.  Wolf Creek has a continuous learning year, which means that they offer a summer session in a variety of areas for enrichment purposes.  If you are interested in learning more about Wolf Creek Online High School please visit our website at triowolfcreek.com


February 8, 2010

Education is Changing ..... Wolf Creek Online High School is Leading the Way.

Can you imagine a world without change; a world without microwaves, the interstate highway system, or digital cameras? What if there was no internet, cell phones, or television? In the article, “Getting it Right & Doing it Better,” Bryan Townsend stated, "Reasonable people understand all change is not progress. However, we must concede, all progress is change." He goes on to say that change is a two step process. Progress comes from those who are determined to do their thing and they are insistent about getting it right.  Then these determined people insist on finding ways to do it better. Those who are constantly and consistently looking for ways to improve are the ones who bring us progress and innovation.

Wolf Creek Online High School works in much the same manner. Wolf Creek has had many areas of change and progress. Wolf Creek opened in 1996 as one of the first distance learning schools in Minnesota as a school with-in a school at Chisago Lakes School district. Wolf Creek was part of a three year study with University of Minnesota to see if students could learn online. The conclusion of the study was "yes, students can learn online!" From that point this distance learning school has blossomed. In 2002 Wolf Creek received its charter school designation and has been growing, gaining ground, and bringing progress and change to students ever since.

Today Wolf Creek Online High School's campus is located at 10363 Liberty Lane in Chisago City, MN. This small tuition-free public online charter school is busy educating approximately 125 fulltime students in grades 9-12, up to age 21, across the state. Another set of approximately 25 students are enrolled part-time using supplemental services and the online learning law. These students can take up to 50% of their classes at Wolf Creek while remaining enrolled in their traditional brick and mortar district.

Wolf Creek Online High School’s curriculum is available 24/7 online, and students have the option to work on campus each week. The school is based on a "small community" philosophy; students are assisted by one individual who helps them in academic as well as non-academic areas of their lives.  This individual is called a Learning Manager and is the center of the school's model. Each Learning Manager works with about 25 students both on and off campus daily. Wolf Creek enrolls a variety of students; these students range from those who are excelling to graduate early to those who are working hard to get caught up. Students like the change to online learning due to the flexibility and ease of accessibility. Wolf Creek is a great option for students who are independent and self-motivated.

Kalli Frost is one of those independent and self-motivated students; she is a junior and has been enrolled at Wolf Creek Online for the past two years. Kalli says that her Learning Manager, Lindsay Jarombek, is fantastic and she helps her with everything, not just coursework. She is there to talk about academics, college, and future plans anytime. Kalli says a typical day for her involves getting up at about 8 am and working online in her pajamas or getting ready to come to campus to work.  She likes the option of working at home several days per week. She enjoys the comfort of working in her own home, as well as being able to have whatever food, music, and work time she desires. She has her mom available at home for assistance if needed and her Learning Manager is always a text, email, chat-room, or phone call away. She comes to campus weekly to meet with her Learning Manager, to get help with classes, and talk about future plans. She also attends campus to meet with other students and work in the computer labs on specific assignments.   Kalli says her favorite thing about Wolf Creek is "the flexibility and the ability to be on her own schedule. She is able to move ahead in courses if she wants to do that."

The staff at Wolf Creek Online High School is dedicated to progress and innovation. Wolf Creek is accredited by NCA, CITA, and NCAA. Instruction is innovative and technology based, and the course work can be completed on or off campus. Wolf Creek has Continuous Learning Year status from the Minnesota Department of Education; therefore, students are able to complete course work throughout the year; applications for summer school are currently being accepted. If you are interested in learning more about Wolf Creek, please visit their website at triowolfcreek.com or stop by for a tour on Tuesdays at 10 am.


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