NORTH BRANCH AREA LEARNING CENTER  

Introduction

The North Branch Area Learning Center (NBALC) currently has four main
components. The first component is the Day Program which serves 35 at-risk
high school students, 10 at-risk middle level students and 10 severely
emotionally disturbed Day Treatment students. The second component is the
Hourly Program in which students can attend classes in the afternoons, evenings
and weekends allowing students to work their schedule around jobs and day
care The third component consists of Targeted Services for middte level
students who are having difficulty with academics as well as emotional and
social issues at the Middle School. The fourth component is Distance Learning
which allows students to earn North Branch credit on-line from anywhere in the
world All these components work together to meet the diverse needs of the
North Branch and Chisago County student population. The following articles wul
specifically address our academic provisions, our school-to-work provisions and
our personal support services provisions as well as our Middle School Program
and Targeted Services Program
 

Academic Provisions

Academic courses are offered to all students through a variety of instructional
methods to meet the needs of our diverse population. The NBALC is currently in
step with the District timeline for implementing the Graduation Rule. We are
starting this year by doin~ performance packages in several content areas. Each
year we will build on this per District guide!ines. We have developed intensive
curriculum in Math, Reading and Written language for students who need to
pass the Graduation Standard tests. Continual Learning Plans are provided for
each student through an advisee/advisor program.
 

School- To-Work Provisions

One of the main emphasis at the NBALC is the opportunities learners have for
schoo~-based learnifig and transition programs. We offer, in both the Day and
Hourly classes, a career research class that goes in depth in finding learner's
interests, values and abilities, and the traditional Employment Skills Seminar.
We recently added a transition class which includes budgeting, financial
decision-making and independent living skills. We participate in the MAAP
STARS competition and this year we will be entering a team in the LifeSmarts
competition. Students have the opportunity to participate in the service learning
program which is facilitated through Community Education. Vocational
programs are available to our students through Northeast Metro College. The
school provides transportation for all students who wish to attend this program.

Contact:
Karen Mortenson
320 Main Street
North Branch Minn 55056
612 674 1400