NEWS

Students develop early career path

Noell Dickmann
USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin
Graduates of the Riverside Program, an alternative education program offered through the Oshkosh Area School District and Fox Valley Technical College, pose for photos with their diplomas on Wednesday, May 18.

Nearly 30 Oshkosh students received diplomas last week from an alternative education program that allows them to get a start on their career path while in high school.

The Riverside Alternative Education Program is a partnership between the Oshkosh Area School District and Fox Valley Technical College for students who are at-risk of not graduating.

Besides attending classes 15 hours per week, students 16 and older must meet requirements in career exploration, financial literacy, leadership and pass the General Education Development test. When they graduate, they receive a high school diploma and are certified in programs such as certified nursing assistance, welding and automation.

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Students also toured Mercy Medical Center, Bergstrom Automotive, the Experimental Aircraft Association and other companies related to careers they are interested in, a new element of the program that added a partnership with the Oshkosh Chamber of Commerce.

Strong relationships are built between students and instructors, staff at the Oshkosh Area School District and Fox Valley Technical College said.

"These students and the instructors have a very close bond," said Colette Kolb, associate dean, Fox Valley Technical College general studies. "These kids feel success from day one and that kind of success breeds success."

The high number of graduates show that for some students the typical classroom setting isn't the right fit to learn in. The Oshkosh Area School District provides other alternative programs as well, including the NEW START program, specifically for seniors behind in credits, and the Second Chance program, for students who may have behavioral issues that hinder their success in a regular classroom setting.

The Riverside program has graduated 161 students since it began in 2010.

Noell Dickmann: 920-426-6658 or ndickmann@thenorthwestern.com. Follow @ONW_Noell on Twitter.