Choctaw Alternative Transitional School, Choctaw-Nicoma Park, Luther and Jones school districts

2008 Oklahoma Medal for Excellence in Alternative Education

The Choctaw Alternative Transitional School (CATS) has been named the recipient of this year’s Medal for Excellence in Alternative Education. Founded in 1994, the school serves approximately 60 high school students from Choctaw-Nicoma Park, Luther and Jones school districts.

Participants attend evening classes at Choctaw High School and participate in daytime learning such as career-tech, post secondary concurrent enrollment or work-site learning. The program serves students who have not been successful in a traditional learning environment and provides them with opportunities to earn their high school diploma, gain self-esteem and life skills, and develop lifelong learning habits.

Each student participating in the program receives an individual plan to meet academic and graduation goals; a career-development plan of study; and a network of teachers, counselors and work-place mentors to assist them in meeting their goals. With a self-paced and competency-driven curriculum, students must score 80 percent or better before advancing to the next unit within a course.

“The CATS program is not just an easy way out for students who cannot succeed in a traditional setting,” emphasized teacher Angela Harvey.

The Oklahoma Technical Assistance Center, which evaluates state alternative programs, gave the Choctaw program exemplary and outstanding ratings for showing significant improvement in student success. Faculty are continually adding hands-on projects to support learning objectives, such as making model bridges, rockets, writing portfolios, sculptures and models of cells.

Connie Stine, whose son attends the alternative school, said the program has not only improved his grades and attendance, but also his confidence. “This program has given him the tools that will help him throughout his life,” she said. “He actually smiles now.”