What is the Alternative Program?

Great River Connections Academy Alternative Program is a dropout prevention and recovery program in Ohio serving students in grades 7–12 who have experienced significant barriers to success in school.

Offering a high level of flexibility and support as well as personalized learning plans, our program aims to empower students between the ages of 16 and 22* to:

  • Gain core academic skills

  • Build resilience

  • Work toward post-secondary success

Great River Connections Academy Alternative Program students follow a traditional school calendar and have access to the same great socialization opportunities, clubs, and activities as the rest of Great River Connections Academy.  

*Students must meet eligibility requirements.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

Why the Alternative Program Might Be Right for Your Student

Participation in this alternative path is limited to students under the age of 22* who need unique support, including those who:

  • Are at risk of not completing graduation requirements before they exceed allowable age limits
  • Are one grade level or more behind their cohort age groups
  • Have experienced crises that significantly interfere with their academic progress 
  • Have difficulty succeeding in a traditional brick-and-mortar school setting

Our program isn’t designed for students who want to fast-track graduation or those who plan to compete in intercollegiate athletics. Our counselors will review enrollment applications to determine if the Alternative Program is the right fit for your student.

BUILT FOR YOU

The Difference Between the Alternative Program and Traditional School

 

TRADITIONAL

ALTERNATIVE

Academic History

Students who have generally stayed on track with their peers and are set to graduate within a traditional timeline

 Students who are at least one grade level behind and/or experience crises that significantly interfere with their academic progress in a traditional program.

Required Student Age

Best for on-track students

Ages 16–21

Grade Levels Served

K–12

Grades 7–12

Instructional Model

Traditional semester-based instructional model with students working on all courses each day

Flexible, personalized paths. Uses diagnostic, adaptive, and prescriptive curriculum, so students don't need to retake lessons for standards they already understand.

Courseload

5–6 courses per semester

Flexible courseload, so students can focus on individual course completion

Early Career Readiness

Offers a variety of early career readiness opportunities

Same great career readiness opportunities, plus every student receives an individual Career Plan

NCAA Eligibility

NCAA eligible

Not NCAA eligible

TUESDAY DECEMBER 3, 2024

  • 8:30am — Chickfila, 5905 Spout Springs Rd, Flowery Branch, GA 30542
  • 10:00am — Community Cup, 125 Tribble Gap Rd, Suite 103, Cumming, GA 30040 
  • 12:00pm — Local on North 170, North St, Canton, GA 30114 
  • 2:00pm — Andretti Indoor Karting & Games, 1255 Roswell Rd Marietta, GA 30062
  • 5:00pm — A Taste of Cindy’s Kitchen, 3606 Atlanta Hwy Hiram, GA 30141

OCTOBER

  • Friday, October 18 at 8 a.m. — Starbucks, 3507 Camp Creek Pkwy Suite 20, East Point, GA
  • Wednesday, October 16 at 4:00 p.m. — Panera, 4875 Sugarloaf Pkwy, Lawrenceville, GA 30045

SEPTEMBER

  • Monday, September 16 at 4 p.m. — Starbucks, 1398 Boone St., Kingsland, GA Campden County
  • Monday, September 16 at 7:30 p.m. — Dairy Queen, 120 Screven Ave, Waycross GA
    Ware County
  • Tuesday, September 17 at 10 a.m. — Twin Pines Homestead and Market, 22477 Main St., Alapaha, GA (Berrien County)
  • Tuesday, September 17 at 11:30 a.m. — Hog N Bones BBQ, 2008 US HWY 82W, Tifton, GA (Tift County)
  • Tuesday, September 17 at 2:30 p.m. — Starbucks, 1211 16th Avenue, Cordele, GA (Crisp County)
  • Tuesday, September 17 at 4:30 p.m. — Fairway Grille, 80 Like Oak Trail, McRae-Helena, GA (Telfair County)
  • Wednesday, September 18 at 9 a.m. — S'Moore Coffee Shop, 207 E. First St., Vidalia, GA (Toombs County)
  • Wednesday, September 18 at 10 a.m. — Burlap and Lace Market, 10 N. Lewis St., Metter, GA (Candler County)
  • Wednesday, September 18 at 11:30 a.m. — Paddles Coffee, 401 N. Laurel Street, Springfield, GA (Effingham County)

JANUARY

  • Thursday, January 18 at 1 p.m. — Caribou Coffee House, 3261 Peachtree Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30305​
  • Monday, January 22 at 5 p.m. — Starbucks, 314 Northside Dr E Statesboro, GA 30458​
  • Monday, January 22 at 1 p.m. — Savannah Coffee Roasters, 1215 W Liberty St, Savannah, GA 31401​
  • Tuesday, January 23 at 1 p.m. — Starbucks, 1522 Bradley Park Dr. Columbus, GA 31904
  • Tuesday, January 23 at 8 a.m. — Starbucks, 277 Perry Pkwy, Perry, GA 31069​
HOW IT WORKS

It’s Not Too Late to Earn a High School Diploma

Our concentrated, 18-credit pathway offers students in unique circumstances the opportunity to earn a traditional high school diploma. Along with a high level of personalized attention, students benefit from:

  • Individualized instruction and progression plans meant to meet the unique needs of every child
  • Daily pacing tailored to their needs with the ability to take multiple courses per day or block course work in individual subject areas
  • The ability to complete additional hours of schoolwork during the week or weekends to earn credits more quickly or catch up for graduation 
  • Flexible paths that allow them to focus on areas of need without retaking lessons they already understand

Who is eligible for Alternative High School?

Participation in this alternative path is limited to high school students under the age of 22* who need unique support, including:

  • students at risk of not completing graduation requirements before they exceed allowable age limits

  • students who are off-track for graduation by more than a semester or who were retained in grades 5–8

  • students who have failed three or more core classes

  • students who have dropped out of school for at least one semester

  • students who have difficulty succeeding in a traditional brick-and-mortar school setting

*Students must meet eligibility requirements.

DISCLAIMER

Great Lakes Learning Academy Alternative School is specifically designed to meet the needs of students who are at risk of not graduating with their class or who are facing significant barriers to their academic success. This program is not designed for students who wish to fast-track graduation, including students who plan to compete in intercollegiate athletics. Great Lakes Learning Academy counselors will review enrollment applications to determine if the Alternative High School is the right fit for your student. 

ALTERNATIVE HIGH SCHOOL

  • Open to students under 22 whose age is outside of typical grade parameters by more than one year  
  • 18 core credits  
  • Designed for students unsure of post-graduation plans  
  • Alternative instructional models  
  • Offers socialization opportunities like clubs and activities through the greater Great Lakes Learning Academy community  

 

TRADITIONAL HIGH SCHOOL

  • Open to students under the age of 20 whose age is within one year of their classmates 
  • 22 credits, including 18 core credits and 4 elective credits  
  • Designed mostly for college-and-career-bound students  
  • Traditional instructional models  
  • Offers socialization opportunities like clubs and activities 

 

Class of 2024 Highlights

200+

Great Lakes Learning Academy graduates

38%

plan on attending a two- or four-year college

11%

indicated plans to enter the workforce upon graduation

Based on self-reported data by students in Connection’s Academy’s Class of 2024 report. 

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