Alternative Education programs meet the needs of public school students who have yet to succeed in the traditional setting. Students are provided with various options that can lead to graduation and supported with services essential to success. Did you know that virtual schooling was an option for alternative education?
In Indiana, online alternative public schools follow the same unique state guidelines as alternative education programs. These standards help at-risk students succeed, are tailored to a student’s needs and learning style, and offer credit recovery courses.
About Indiana Gateway Alternative School
Indiana Gateway Alternative School (INGAS) is a tuition-free, public online alternative high school that provides individualized education for grades 9-12. Our school is designed to meet the needs of students struggling in traditional schools, whether because of academic challenges, behavioral issues, or social-emotional difficulties.
At-risk students may have attendance issues and problems, discipline issues, variables that cause a student to get behind, or situations outside of a student’s control.
Executive Director Dwight Ashley says, “Our mission is to do whatever it takes to reach students around the state of Indiana who have at-risk factors in their lives that may have disconnected them from the educational system. We want to reconnect them to the educational system to help them get that high school diploma.”
Indiana Gateway Alternative School is helping students facing hardships get back on track to graduate. A supportive team is dedicated to helping these students close the gap and understand the importance of earning an accredited diploma. Credit recovery, low student-to-staff ratios, and transparent grading systems help students get back on track and reach their goals at INGAS.
They offer a variety of programs and services to help students reach their full potential, including:
- Small class sizes
- Individualized instruction
- One-on-one tutoring
- Behavioral support
- Social-emotional support
- College and career readiness support
- INGAS is a gateway of opportunity
Is Indiana Gateway Digital Academy an accredited school?
The Indiana State Board of Education accredits Indiana Gateway Alternative School (INGAS) and meets all Indiana educational standards. It employs state-certified teachers and support staff who live in Indiana and work with students daily.
Students interact with their peers and have an advisor to help them with their progress, attendance, and the online platform in daily classes. INGAS students are required to take district and state-mandated tests. Testing is a mandatory part of the school curriculum and is required by Indiana law. Course grade books give students, teachers, administrators, and families access to grade information 24/7.
What curriculum does INGAS use?
INGAS provides students with a standards-aligned curriculum taught by Indiana-certified teachers from the comfort of their homes or anywhere with an internet connection. The curriculum is provided by K12, an education leader with over 20 years of experience in online education. K12, a Stride, Inc. company, has worked with schools and districts to develop local solutions that meet personalized online and blended learning goals. INGAS’s curriculum also focuses on credit recovery for struggling students in a positive and supportive environment.
What college prep and career opportunities are available to students?
A partnership with Indiana Gateway Digital Academy (INGDA) allows career and college prep programs to help students combine traditional academics with career-focused courses relevant to the industry, giving them a head start on their career and college goals. Students can join career clubs called career technical service organizations (CTSOs).
High school students succeed after graduation by balancing a rigorous academic program with extracurricular activities, internships, and career-oriented electives. Career-focused courses offered at INGDA include these high-demand career fields:
- Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources
- Arts, AV Tech & Communication
- Business
- Education & Training
- Health Science
- Hospitality & Tourism
- Information Technology
Are there social opportunities for students at INGAS?
INGAS provides a variety of extracurricular activities, such as school-sponsored trips, prom, clubs, and in-person graduation. Students experience daily interaction with peers and teachers through online learning in safe and non-bullying environments. Additionally, students have more time to participate in sports, church groups, and extracurricular activities with a flexible schedule and shorter school hours.
Here are some benefits of INGAS’s extracurricular activities:
- Students can develop their interests and talents outside of academics.
- Students can build relationships with their peers and teachers.
- Students can learn about different cultures and perspectives.
- Students can develop leadership skills.
- Students can gain valuable experience in planning and organizing events.
- Students can have fun and relax outside of school.
INGAS’s extracurricular activities are an excellent way for students to get involved in their school and community. They offer a variety of opportunities for students to learn, grow, and have fun.
What is the student experience like at INGAS?
INGAS places a strong emphasis on academic achievement and growth.
Students can work at their own pace, choose their schedule, or even take just one class at a time. They can also test out of a course by passing the semester exam, which allows them to move on to the next course. INGAS uses a quarterly-based approach in which students earn points for passing grades. The points are cumulative, so students can move on once they have reached their desired grade. Due dates are assigned to lessons to encourage consistent and steady progress toward academic success.
Students work with their teachers via online synchronous sessions, attend or listen to recorded online teaching sessions, and commit to attending school Monday through Friday for at least three hours a day. Homeroom teachers regularly check in with students, and students must check and respond to emails daily.
What are parents saying?
One parent recently told the school, “INGAS was the best choice for our daughter. In high school, our daughter was dealing with anxiety, which caused behavior issues in a brick-and-mortar school. After schools resumed in 2020, we, as a family, decided to try online school. Working with K-12 and IGDA changed our daughter’s school experience. We saw a behavioral change in her for the better. Each of her teachers was there for her and encouraged her.”
