Our Commitment to Education
Port Townsend High School/Learning Center Partnership
By: Wanda Synnestvedt
M. Ed, Ed. S.
The partnership between Mar Vista Alternative High School and Gray Wolf Ranch is a perfect example of what an integral part of the Port Townsend community Gray Wolf has become. Our collaboration has been of great benefit not only for Gray Wolf Learning Center students, but also for our other students as well. While we have provided Gray Wolf Learning Center students with curriculum, educational guidance and an opportunity to continue their education while learning new life skills, Gray Wolf has made it possible for all of our students to access the NovaNet courses on-line.
In order to provide an individual program for each Gray Wolf high school age resident, Marcus Sather, one of Port Townsend High School's guidance counselors, analyzes each student's transcript to determine what courses are needed in order to graduate. Since each resident comes with a different set of academic needs and goals, Patty Spencer, M. Ed., another Mar Vista teacher, and I meet with each student individually. We then determine which curriculum would be most appropriate to ensure each student can reach the academic goals he has set for himself. As teachers, it is rare to be able to spend quality individual time with every student; consequently, we appreciate the opportunity to sit down with the Gray Wolf students to design their unique academic programs.
As both Patty and I have chosen to pursue an alternative route for assisting students in attaining the highest possible educational standards, we fully appreciate the educational opportunities that Gray Wolf provides for all of their residents while also supporting our efforts to do the same for our Mar Vista population. The constant communication between Mar Vista and Shu DeLapp at Gray Wolf's Learning Canter makes it possible to keep track of each individual's academic progress. Shu's daily monitoring of student progress, proactive responses to their academic needs and constant encouragement of each student's efforts makes the program successful for everyone. Our partnership has proven to be of enormous benefit to all of our diverse student population.
Providing excellent individualized education is our passion, and we appreciate the dynamic and on-going partnership with Gray Wolf that enhances our own efforts to provide individually designed curriculum to each high school student at the Learning Center and at Mar Vista.