Scotland County Schools, a rural North Carolina district, needed a new way to engage its high school students. Data showed a troubling dropout rate, and scores on the state assessment had stagnated. In order to reach students on a more personalized level, the district converted its comprehensive high school into a 9th grade academy and five small learning communities for students in grades 10 to 12 on a single campus.

Digital Curriculum Key to Creating More Opportunities
for Students

Seeking instructional resources that would help them individualize instruction and provide more personalized opportunities for each student, Scotland implemented Apex Learning digital curriculum across its Ninth Grade Academy and five SLCs.

“Our graduation rate has gone up by 10 percentage points. Apex Learning has been part of the solution to help our students meet higher standards and to make sure they are ready for this 21st-century world.”

   — Dr. Susan Chase
        Associate Superintendent for Instructional Support Services

Students in the small learning communities are able to enroll in an Apex Learning online course when a traditional class is not available in their SLC. Computer labs are staffed by trained paraprofessionals who have access as part of the Apex Learning solution to online tools and reports that allow them to easily monitor the progress of every student in his or her online course.

For students who enter an SLC without the basic skills necessary for success in required high school courses, Apex Learning Foundations courses afford the opportunity to earn elective credits while developing math, reading, and writing skills. In the Ninth Grade Academy, classroom teachers use Apex Learning content to reinforce core academic areas.