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Administrator’s Corner by Johanna Thomas

The Albert Lea Area Learning Center is located on the Riverland Community College campus and serves approximately 90 students in grades 9-12.

However, this is not the only program the Albert Lea Area Learning Center provides. The ALC also provides programs for grades kindergarten through 12th during the school year and in the summer.

Summer Targeted Services: This program takes place during the summer and is for students going into first through eighth grade. It provides academic support and educational experiences for students beyond the traditional school year. Last summer this program served over 340 students. In addition to classroom instructional support, students are involved in experiential educational instruction provided by the Community Education staff. Students are able to increase their learning through participation in kayaking, rock climbing and on field trips in and around Albert Lea. Targeted Services programming is also known as Tiger Tails.

Extended Day Targeted Services: This program provides engaging academic support for students in grades kindergarten through eighth grade after school during the school year. Currently, 280 students are participating in Tiger Tails Monday through Thursday at all elementary schools and Southwest Middle School.

Middle School Program: The middle school program provides support to students in sixth and seventh grade with a focus on social and emotional learning as well as academic organization. Twenty-nine students are involved in this program at Southwest Middle School during the regular school day.

Credit Recovery Program: Credit recovery allows Albert Lea High School students and area high school students to continue to stay on track for graduation by taking a required course they did not pass during the regular school day. This program is offered after school on Monday and Tuesday during the school year and four mornings a week through June as well as in the summer.

The approach of ALC programming is to provide an alternative learning environment for students to excel and grow. All of the programs offered through the Albert Lea Area Learning Center are taught by dedicated licensed teachers and support staff. Programming for the Albert Lea Area Learning Center reaches across all grade levels and provides opportunities and support for a large number of students, both during the school year and summer.

Please consider showing your appreciation of our licensed staff by nominating an impactful educator during the Teacher Of The Year nomination process.

You can find nomination forms by visiting the About link on the school website at www.alschools.org

Johanna Thomas is principal of the Albert Lea Area Learning Center.