Battle Ground Public Schools, which has long offered a variety of educational options in addition to the traditional five-days-a-week-classroom model, is improving its award-winning, parent-partnered CAM and HomeLink programs.
Here’s a look at some changes at the two schools:
CAM expands to primary grades
CAM Jr.-Sr. High School, a “rigorous” academic, parent-partnered alternative learning experience, is changing its name to CAM Academy and is adding third and fourth grades to its 5-12 configuration. Colleen O’Neal, CAM principal, said the school is also increasing its capacity for ninth graders.
CAM started in 1996 as a high school (grades 9-12) and gradually added additional grades. It has been a 5-12 school for five years. Parents across the school district were surveyed in the spring about grades three and four and interest was greater than expected, resulting in two classrooms at each of those grade levels being added at CAM.
O’Neal said grades one and two will also be added at some point, perhaps next year.
“The goal is to create a first-through-12th grade, rigorous, parent-partnered academic experience,” O’Neal said.
With the two primary grades and an expanded ninth grade, enrollment at CAM is expected to be about 520 full-time-equivalent students.
CAM Academy students have classroom instruction Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday and work on their own and/or with parents on Wednesdays under an individual learning contract.
O’Neal said the expansion of CAM into the primary grades “speaks highly of this school district’s administration and the school board for providing different ways to meet the various needs and learning styles of students.”
Parents still wishing to get on the “interested” list may do so via the school’s website, www.camjr-sr.com. CAM is located at 715 Onsdorff Blvd., Battle Ground. Contact the office at (360) 885-6800 for more information, the office re-opens Aug. 20.
HomeLink consolidates on Maple Grove campus
Battle Ground HomeLink school, which has been associated with CAM near downtown Battle Ground, is moving to the Maple Grove campus where it will merge with River HomeLink.
Mark Clements, principal at River HomeLink, said the larger, consolidated school will mean “a greater choice of opportunities for parents who are seeking an alternative to the five-days-a-week model and who will play an active role in their children’s education.”
After 15 years in Camas, River HomeLink has been at the Maple Grove campus for one year. The combined HomeLink schools will have about 550 full-time-equivalent students.
There are five different HomeLink programs involving 1-3 days a week in classes on campus plus schooling at home. Parents are heavily involved in HomeLink programs and will be expected to participate in professional development sessions on campus throughout the year.
“I’m excited about this opportunity to offer more options for families in the greater Battle Ground community,” Clements said. “This is a merger of two award-winning schools. The students will be the beneficiaries.”
Information meetings for parents wanting to learn more about HomeLink will be held at the school Tues., July 31, 9 a.m.; Thurs., Aug. 16, 9 a.m.; Mon., Aug. 20, 6 p.m.; and Mon., Aug. 27, 6 p.m. Visit the HomeLink website at http://www.bgsd.k12.wa.us/riv.
River HomeLink is located at 610C SW Eaton Blvd., Battle Ground. Contact the office at (360) 334-8200, office reopens Aug. 13.
