Phelps/Three Lakes Announce Academic Co-op
Three Lakes And Phelps School Districts Announce Academic Co-op
Three Lakes and Phelps, Wisconsin — The school districts of Three Lakes and Phelps are excited to announce a first-of-its-kind partnership in the state of Wisconsin. After years of partnering in athletics, the two districts will begin an academic co-op during the second semester of 2019-20 as a way to increase student options by sharing staff and curriculum.
The academic co-op is a blended learning option for students. Blended learning, as defined by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, is a formal education program where students learn at least in part through online delivery of content and instruction while at a supervised brick-and-mortar location. Current examples of blended learning include courses through Wisconsin Virtual School or Start College Now with Nicolet College.
The new co-op between Phelps and Three Lakes is the first time blended learning will be used between two rural Wisconsin districts. Through this option, an instructor from one district can lead a classroom with students from both districts. Students will be able to connect and learn partly through online platforms and partly through face-to-face classroom time. For 2019-20, the program will begin with a pilot class in chemistry taught by Three Lakes instructor Al Votis.
“We are not talking ‘consolidation,’ but ‘true partnership,’” said Phelps District Administrator Dr. Delnice Hill. “As we continue to evolve and take full advantage of the opportunities we have in rural Northern Wisconsin, our students will be the benefactors.”
Three Lakes District Administrator Teri Maney emphasizes that this new academic co-op will continue the Three Lakes tradition of personalized education.
“Three Lakes and Phelps have successfully partnered together through our athletic co-ops, but moving into the academic arena is especially exciting for our districts,” Maney said. “Perhaps working together in a blended learning environment with our neighbors will be the best experience yet.”
Dr. Hill and Phelps Dean of Students Jason Pertile have worked with Maney and Three Lakes High School Principal Gene Welhoefer since the beginning of the 2019-20 school year to make this program a reality. The Three Lakes Board of Education approved the program at its December 2019 meeting.
About TLSD - Three Lakes School District is located in Oneida County, Wisconsin, in the heart of the North- woods. Our district includes Sugar Camp Elementary, Three Lakes Elementary and Three Lakes Jr./Sr. High schools and the communities of Hiles, Monico, Piehl, Stella, Sugar Camp and Three Lakes. Our award-winning district has received a 2017 Magna Award Honorable Mention and has been recognized as a Title 1 School of Recognition.
About Phelps School District - Nestled in the Nicolet National Forest, Phelps School District serves students in grades 4K-12th grade. Phelps has been awarded the US News and World Report Bronze Award for top high schools in the nation and has been designated as a Wisconsin School of Recognition seven times between 2003 and 2011.
