EMMIE BOESE
Hutch Post
BUHLER, Kan. — The Ad Astra Alternative Academy for USD 313 currently hosts 10 high school students. The Board of Education approved the addition of seventh and eighth grade students to the alternative school for the 2024-25 school year at their meeting on April 8.
Ad Astra Virtual Academy Director Erica Shook said the alternative academy will probably start taking applications at the beginning of May.
"It is kind of a work in progress," Shook said. "We will keep it a very small group because that's the kind of learning environment that we are trying to create. We want to keep our student to teacher ratios very, very low, because that's kind of the idea behind the program. We will have very limited spaces next year. Probably like five to seven spaces. We've offered it to our current virtual students first and we have a few that are interested in filling those spots and then we'll open it up to the rest of the school district."
The alternative academy opened last year under Ad Astra Academies, which also oversees Ad Astra Virtual Academy.
The alternative school can legally enroll seventh through twelfth grade students throughout the state. Both are separate registered schools in Kansas.
Shook said the addition of seventh and eighth grade students to the alternative school is needed for variety of reasons.
"Some of it is mental health related, some of its physical health related, some are special education needs related, that traditional brick and mortar settings do not work well for them," Shook said. "They can't be their most successful academic self in those settings so families were looking for options like home school and virtual school. Well, home school is very very difficult and virtual school can be very challenging too if you don't have a strong learning guide support system at home. If parents are working, it's hard for them to do, things like that. Family dynamics are very different for everyone.
Shook said the virtual school at Ad Astra Academies is set up to where students still come to a traditional school building. The alternative setting is set up for students to be a part of the virtual program at USD 313. However, students are not in the traditional school setting. Shook said there will not be any additional staff hired with the seventh and eighth grade additions to the alternative academy.
The district purchased the Masonic Lodge building at 1800 East 23rd Ave in Hutchinson to use for Ad Astra Academies last year. The building is currently being remodeled as a new space for Ad Astra Academies and is slated to host students next school year.
More information about Ad Astra Academies is available by calling (620) 543-2258. Information is also available at usd313.org or on their Facebook page.
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