Media Contact: Barbara Fornasiero, EAFocus Communications; 248.651.7536; cell: 586.817.8414; barbara@eafocus.com; Sue Briggs, Avondale Schools; 248.537.6041; susan.briggs@avondale.k12.mi.us
Auburn Hills, Mich. —Jan. 14, 2014—- Avondale School District, an achievement-oriented learning community focused on student leadership and success in academics, the arts and athletics, announces its virtual school will begin operating from the new University Center building in downtown Auburn Hills on Tuesday, Jan. 21. The virtual school is offered through the District’s alternative high school, the Avondale Academy, and had previously been based there. The Avondale Academy has open enrollment and offers both traditional and non-traditional educational opportunities to students entering high school through age 19.
The University Center, located at 3350 Auburn Road, is a partnership between the Avondale School District, the Auburn Hills Tax Increment Finance Authority (TIFA) and four of Auburn Hills’ colleges and universities: Oakland University, Oakland Community College, Baker College and Thomas M. Cooley Law School. The University Center provides 4,800 square feet on the first floor to host college level classes and 2,400 square feet on the second floor for Avondale’s virtual school. The building was part of four new developments in downtown Auburn Hills that were celebrated at an October 2013 ribbon cutting event sponsored by the city of Auburn Hills.
“We are pleased to have a premium facility like the University Center to operate Avondale Academy’s virtual school,” said Dr. George Heitsch, superintendent of the Avondale School District. “We thank our higher education partners in Auburn Hills and also the city of Auburn Hills for collaborating on a project that has such an immediate benefit to area students seeking a high school diploma through the new frontier of virtual learning.”
In the virtual school, which is approved by the State of Michigan, students are assigned classes through the Education 20/20 program with the assistance of a mentor teacher. Of the 32 students who graduated from the Avondale Academy in June 2013, 13 obtained their degrees through the Avondale Academy virtual school. Avondale introduced the virtual school in the 2010-2011 school year.
The educational opportunities offered through the Avondale Academy provide students numerous benefits, including small class sizes, a safe and friendly learning environment, multiple learning options, credit recovery, an Avondale School District diploma, individualized instruction accredited by the State of Michigan and transportation from some out of district locations.
The Avondale Academy and virtual school serve students through age 19. Beyond traditional 9-12 grade students, fall enrollment is open for students who did not receive a diploma with their graduating class and have not turned 20 prior to the first day of school. For questions about the virtual school or the Avondale Academy, which is located at 1435 W. Auburn Road, Rochester Hills 48309, please call (248) 537-6600.
About the Avondale School District
Avondale School District is a collaborative community of teachers, staff and families working together to assure student success. The district, encompassing portions of Auburn Hills, Bloomfield Township, Troy and Rochester Hills, celebrates the richness of a diverse student population and strives to be a model school community that prepares students to be lifelong learners and contributing citizens to the world that awaits them upon graduation. Learn more about Avondale Schools, an AdvancED certified district, at www.avondale.k12.mi.us.
