Hartford Public Schools Decreases Dropout Rate, Reengages Students with Apex Learning Digital Curriculum

SEATTLE, July 15, 2014 /PRNewswire/ --Hartford Public Schools partnered with Apex Learning, the leading provider of blended and virtual learning solutions to the nation's schools, to implement a credit recovery blended learning program to provide off-track and returning dropout students with another chance to succeed.

Hartford Public Schools' "Choosing to Succeed High School Graduation Initiative" was developed to reengage students in learning and get them on track to graduate. Utilizing High School Graduation Initiative (HSGI) Grant funds from the United States Department of Education, Hartford developed Student Success Centers to reengage students who were at risk of dropping out of high school.  In 2013, 80.4 percent of the seniors participating in the program earned the credits needed to graduate.

"Hartford Public Schools is able to provide individualized instruction and support to each student in this blended learning program," said Cheryl Vedoe, CEO of Apex Learning. "This initiative ensures every student, regardless of his or her level of academic readiness, has the opportunity to be successful."

Hartford's Student Success Center blended learning classrooms are designed to be smaller learning environments with no more than 20 students, giving students more opportunity to work one-on-one with their teachers.

"Our credit recovery blended learning program has proven to be a tremendous asset to the goals of the district," said Sonia Dinnall, the executive director of college and career readiness and the project director of the HSGI grant for Hartford Public Schools. "Students who may have left high school prior to completion are now graduates with a brighter future.  Academic rigor coupled with flexibility is key to the success of at risk students."

About Apex Learning

Nearly two decades ago Apex Learning emerged as a leader in digital learning for secondary education, developing online Advanced Placement courses to provide students who would otherwise not have access the opportunity to take rigorous, college-level courses. Recognizing the challenges schools face in meeting the needs of every student — from those struggling to stay on track for graduation to those capable of accelerating their learning — the company continues to develop innovative, digital learning solutions to support teachers and provide every student with the opportunity to excel beyond his or her expectations. 

Today Apex Learning offers a comprehensive catalog of rigorous, standards-based online courses that meet high school graduation requirements. Apex Learning Comprehensive Courses are used by schools nationwide for both initial credit and credit recovery. The company's latest digital learning solution —Tutorials — is a key component of effective blended learning, providing classroom teachers with the critical resources they need to meet the needs of all students including preparation for high stakes assessments, targeted intervention and just-in-time remediation and enhanced instruction for all students.

Apex Learning, headquartered in Seattle, is accredited by the Northwest Accreditation Commission and its courses are approved for National Collegiate Athletic Association eligibility. For more information, visit www.apexlearning.com or call 1.800.453.1454.

SOURCE Apex Learning