The Rapid City Academy will work in partnership with students, families, and community to encourage academic excellence and life long learning.

The Rapid City Academy is a multi-site program that features alternative methods of delivering instruction to enhance and encourage student’s success. Each of the three programs has been specifically designed to address individual needs of various age groups of high school students, promote academic success, self-esteem, and job readiness. The Academy, system-wide, is designed to offer opportunities for students to earn credit in core classes (English, math, social studies, and science) and in a limited number of elective classes. Students are not able to complete their 22 required graduation credits by attending Academy programs only. A combination of Academy and high school classes will result in a student successfully accumulating needed credits for graduation.

The purpose of this handbook is to provide you with information that will help with your success as a member of the student body. Please read the handbook carefully. Should you have any questions about its contents, do not hesitate to seek the answers from your teachers, your counselor, or an administrator.

The Ninth Grade Program is designed for students with diverse educational and social needs. It is structured as a full year program utilizing Rapid City School District curriculum. It is recommended that students remain in the program for the full year in order to realize the benefits. Enthusiastic, dedicated educators provide instruction using a variety of delivery methods in a small class setting. A safe, structured learning environment is maintained on a closed campus. Students have an opportunity to purchase a hot school lunch each day.

Students are recommended by their middle school to attend the Rapid City Academy - Lincoln Building for a variety of reasons including: academic difficulties, attendance, and need for a small group instructional setting. Students are enrolled in English, math, science, geography, civics, reading and one credit of elective.

During the third quarter, students participate in a building-wide Career Fair that is the culminating activity for an interdisciplinary unit. The careers unit will incorporate information gained using the Career Planning Survey which is given to all district ninth graders. Working as a team, Ninth Grade Building teachers facilitate a series of career exploration activities designed to encourage students to begin considering possible post-high school options. The Career Fair will bring local business people into school to expose students to possible school-to-career options.

After completing a school year at the Lincoln Building, classes at either Stevens or Central High School are recommended for the sophomore year. Students may also attend classes at the Rapid City Academy – Jefferson.

The registration process begins in the spring of eighth grade through a recommendation process. All students who are recommended to attend the Ninth Grade program are encouraged to visit the Lincoln building with a parent/guardian. A parent/guardian must contact the school and complete the paperwork to officially enroll their student prior to school starting. If space is available, students who apply to the Ninth Grade Building after the school year has begun need to complete paperwork and attend an orientation. Forms are available at the Lincoln Building office and home high schools.

Please note that an IEP team meeting is required to consider any special needs student’s interest in attending any of the Rapid City Academy programs. Arrangements to meet must be made with your son/daughter’s current IEP case manager. A case manager and administrator from the Academy will be part of the IEP team.

Enrollment will remain open until 85 students are enrolled or until the week of Thanksgiving. At reaching that number or date, enrollment will be closed for the Lincoln Building. After that time, parents/guardians should discuss their child’s needs with a home high school counselor.

The Jefferson program is designed to educate students who have attempted but have not completed their ninth or tenth grade years. This program provides a trusting, safe environment that builds community, promotes students’ self-esteem, and academic success. Teachers use alternative methods of delivering instruction in small group settings. Two delivery models are featured including Directed Studies (self-paced) and Group Studies (teacher led).

The goal of this program is to have students complete their ninth or tenth grade required classes as well as a limited number of electives. It should be noted that this Academy program may not meet the needs of all students. Students and parents/guardians are encouraged to talk with the sending school staff and Rapid City Academy staff to help determine if this Academy program would benefit their student.

Please note that an IEP team meeting is required to consider any special needs student’s interest in attending the Rapid City Academy. Arrangements should be made with your son/daughter’s home school IEP case manager. A case manager and administrator from the Academy will be part of the IEP team.

If a student wishes to apply for the Jefferson Program, he/she should stop by the Jefferson office to pick up an application or see their home school counselor. After an application is completed and returned, the student will be scheduled for an orientation. Orientations are typically held on Mondays from 12:15 p.m. until 1 p.m. with the parent/guardian participating along with their student. During the same week as orientation, students will schedule classes at the Jefferson Building. Parents/guardians are asked to accompany their child to the scheduling appointment. Scheduled students will begin attending classes on the Monday after they attend orientation.

Students are initially enrolled in three classes unless space is limited due to enrollment. Additional classes will be considered after the student has demonstrated satisfactory attendance and academic achievement.

Students will be placed in either the Group Studies Program or Directed Studies Program. This placement is based on the student’s needs and the availability of courses. Students will not be accepted at Jefferson after March 15^th of the current school year. This is to insure that students beginning any courses will have sufficient time to complete them before the end of the school year. After that date, students may apply to attend the following school year.

Directed Studies Program is a self-paced curriculum designed to accelerate student progress. It is not designed for leisurely completion of course work. Students who are successful in Directed Studies are self-starters, independent workers, and are able to manage their time. Upon entering each class, the student and instructor jointly establish a contract which includes a completion date. If appropriate, the instructor may grant an extension for the completion date.

Failure to meet the course completion contract may result in the student receiving an F for the course. Following a class drop, the student may not enroll in an additional class for one month. When a student is dropped from all classes, due to poor attendance or non-production, the student must wait one month before they are able to re-enroll in Academy classes. Students, who are re-enrolling for admission during the same school year, may be placed on an attendance or production contract. The re-enrolling student and their parent/guardian, need to arrange a meeting prior to scheduling classes (394-4028). Students will be limited on the number of times they can enroll during a given school year.

Classes in the Group Studies Program will be "teacher led" rather than individualized as in the Directed Studies Program. Students in Group Studies will work at the same pace during 12-week long trimesters. This instructional delivery format is especially suited for the student who benefits from an auditory presentation of material, assistance with organization, and time-management.

Failure to maintain regular attendance or work production may result in the student receiving an F for the course. Following a class drop, the student may not enroll in an additional class for one month. When a student is dropped from all classes, due to poor attendance or non-production, the student must wait one month before they are able to re-enroll in Academy classes. Students who are re-enrolling for admission during the same school year may be placed on an attendance or production contract. The re-enrolling student and their parent/guardian need to arrange a meeting prior to scheduling classes (394-4028). Students will be limited on the number of times they can enroll during a given school year.