ANSWER:

During the past three years, staff in the Offices of School Support and Improvement (OSSI) and Chief Academic Officer (i.e., Offices of Curriculum and Instructional Programs, Special Education, and Student and Family Support and Engagement) have collaborated in the redesign of Alternative Programs and other alternative pathways to graduation. With the 2018–2019 expansion of the Blair G. Ewing Alternative Programs, students who are aging out and/or not on track to graduate have the opportunity to participate in multiple venues to meet the academic requirements for a Maryland High School diploma. The three sites, including Cloverleaf Academy (Germantown), Avery Academy (Rockville), and Plum Orchard Academy (currently co-located at Avery, soon to move to Takoma Park), offer a day program that utilizes online learning, blended learning, and teacher led coursework. These sites also offer students evening and weekend programs that provide them the opportunity to complete coursework and credits toward graduation. Most recently, OSSI launched a communications strategy that capitalizes on partnerships with community agencies and religious organizations to help tap current and former MCPS students who may need anywhere from one to four credits to meet the academic requirements for a Maryland High School diploma.