Options Charter Schools today announced that their Noblesville high school campus will add seventh and eighth grades in the 2017-18 school year to address the growing need for a smaller, more personalized and flexible educational experience for students in the Hamilton County area. Options is a free public charter school with campuses in Carmel and Noblesville that provides a learning environment for students who haven’t found success in a traditional large school system.
A partnership between Options and local superintendents determined that there is a growing need for an alternative educational option for middle school students. Options — Noblesville built a pilot program earlier this year in coordination with the partnering school districts, and is expanding into a full program for the 2017-2018 school year with 30 students each in the seventh and eighth grades.
“Options and our local school systems recognize that more alternatives are needed for students with behavioral, academic and social struggles that occur before high school. The addition of our middle school stems from this desire to help more students achieve academic success,” said Mike Gustin, president and CEO, Options Charter Schools. “We provide a unique and effective learning environment and work with students individually to determine their needs. Options is excited to provide this offering to younger students who are at a critical point in their educational development.”
Stephanie M. Fleer-Peter, said that within a few weeks of attending the Middle School pilot program, her daughter’s “grades started to jump forward, and she felt as if she was back on top and was learning. She is thriving. If it wasn’t for Options opening their pilot Middle School program, she would have continued to fall further behind and not be ready for high school.”
Options offers an average 15 students to one teacher learning environment, flexible scheduling options including evening classes and a small campus of less than 200 students per school.
“Noblesville Schools successfully serves the vast majority of students in our community, but occasionally a student struggling behaviorally, academically or socially can benefit from an alternative environment. We have partnered with Options to provide this setting for these students so they can fully achieve their potential,” said Dr. Beth Niedermeyer, superintendent, Noblesville Schools.
In addition, the schools have expanded Options Distance Education Program, a free online, accredited, virtual high school that offers a flexible schedule and a variable work load.
“Our team reached out to local virtual schools to learn more about best practices and discovered there were some students struggling to be successful in the traditional virtual schools. This group of students needed more flexibility with their schedule and/or workload. We have expanded our offerings and have built a program designed to serve their needs,” said Gustin.
About Options Charter Schools
Options Charter Schools provide small, personalized learning communities for students in Carmel (high school) and Noblesville (grades 7 through 12). Options Charter Schools — Carmel was one of the first charter schools in Indiana (opened in 2002), Options opened its second campus, Options Charter Schools — Noblesville, in 2006. Options Distance Education Program provides an online, computerized learning program for students who need a more flexible high school experience.
As free, public charter middle and high schools, Options Schools are designed to support the academic and social needs of students that haven’t found success in the traditional public school environment. At Options, students are encouraged to explore and embrace their individuality in a caring, supportive, and inclusive environment through small class sizes and an individualized academic approach.