Ozark alternative academy a growing success

Sara Trowbridge, a reading teacher at Ozark's Opportunity Academy, talks about some of the methods and tools used to help students better understand what they are being taught.

By: Ebony Horton | Dothan Eagle
Published: August 27, 2009

OZARK - The long-term goals of a short-term disciplinary school in Dale County are spelled out in the program's name.

Opportunity Academy.

The academy, a rendition of Ozark City Schools' alternative school, is in its first year. Already, director Danelle Peterman said she is seeing a change in some of the first 11 students assigned to the school from grades three through 12.

The academy was designed to incorporate individual counseling, credit recovery, grade acceleration and tailored learning curriculum for each student assigned there. Students are generally referred to the academy after excessive office referrals and an administrative hearing, she said.

How long a student stays depends on a recommendation.

Peterman’s experience as an administrator in every Ozark city school except for Lisenby Elementary, as well as her background in special education, contribute to her ability to lead the school, she said.

“Our goal is to make this the best alternative learning environment in southeast Alabama. The plans we are laying out are making that objective possible, and we hope to soon open our credit recovery program to students not just at our school,” Peterman said during an interview in her office at the academy, located behind Flowers Center.

“We’ve worked to make the program similar to the students’ base school, but it is different in that each students’ needs here are met on an individual basis, without some of the peer pressure they may have in a larger setting.”

Peterman said capacity for the school is 30 students - 15 from Ozark City and 15 from Dale County Schools. An English, math, physical education teacher and counselor have been assigned to the school.

There is also a laboratory.

Ozark City Schools Superintendent Mike Lenhart said earlier the school system's objective was to create atmospheres at each school that are conducive to preparing students for beyond their high school matriculation.

The Opportunity Academy could be the beginning of academies in the system.

Doug Williamson, former director of the alternative school who stepped down to work as a teacher in the program, said he is pleased with the direction the school is going.

Rarely has the program had to expel a student. New programs in place, including a rewards and points program, make expulsion less likely and students more likely to have a positive impact in the schools they return to, he said.

“We’ve worked very hard over the years to get the school to this point, and I’m just excited about where it’s headed,” he said.