|
We Are Personalized.
Caring staff focus on community building with students. A small student-teacher ratio enhances learning.
-
We Are Student Centered.
We emphasize growth in personal, social, career and academic areas. Students help design their own instruction. Coursework at Central Campus, area colleges and via the Internet is encouraged.
-
We Are Flexible.
We offer day and evening sessions. Classes are completed at student’s individual pace.
-
We are Success Oriented.
To receive a credit, a student must earn a C or above on all class work.
-
We are Activity-Based.
Classes use varied teaching styles to involve students. Teachers and students work together to adapt lessons according to individual learning styles.
-
We Are Supportive.
Caseworkers, a school nurse, a guidance counselor, a student services coordinator, and the Heartland Area Education Agency team all assist to help students become successful.
The Campus...
Housed in a building that was once the West Des Moines Christian Church, Walnut Creek Campus is a unique space for education and embodies our wish to be a truly alternative setting. The remodeling preserves the warm, non-institutional feel of the building without the religious symbolism.
All students can learn. Despite challenges, all students can be successful. Rigor, relevance and relationships drive all our decisions.
The staff at Walnut Creek Campus believes several things distinguish a great school from a good school. Great schools are driven by dedicated, energetic staff members. Great schools believe in themselves and believe that remaining excellent takes hard work and commitment.
WCC is a great school. We have dedicated staff focused on the goal of serving students, and we are always striving to be more successful.
WCC continues to “recreate” itself not because of national education trends, but in response to the needs of WCC students. The staff has a continued commitment to the overall needs of the student population and makes adjustments from one year to the next. WCC will continue to change, as all great schools must, for the betterment of our students and community.
A referral
Students are most often referred by their home high school. In some instances parents/guardians refer students, or students refer themselves. Students should work with the counseling and administrative staff of their home school in order to be referred.
An interview
Students and parents must complete an intake interview. Walnut Creek Campus staff ask questions to determine why a student wants to attend WCC and to discover what the student’s needs are. The WCC system and expectations are also explained to the students and parents/guardians during the interview.
A contract
At the end of the interview, parents/guardians and students must sign a contract agreeing to meet the WCC expectations and to take advantage of the program. Students must also write a commitment statement indicating what they will do to be successful at WCC.
An orientation
Before beginning classes at WCC, students must successfully complete an orientation in which they:
- Meet the staff and other students
- Become familiar with the school
- Complete a schedule request
- Complete a career interest inventory
The orientation allows students to better understand the WCC system in order to be successful.
Family Centered Services
Walnut Creek Campus, with the assistance of P.A.C.E. (a division of Orchard Place), has developed a program to provide support services to students and families. Three caseworkers, housed at the school, provide these services. Each student enrolled at WCC is assigned a caseworker who becomes involved with the student and the family when services are needed.
|
