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Urbana School District 116

Stronger Together. Leading for the Future.

Alternative Education

Alternative Education at Tiger Academy

Tiger Academy houses an alternative day time program for high school students. This is a hybrid model between in person learning at Urbana High School and alternative education at Tiger Academy. The goal is to provide an individualized learning environment incorporating alternative and restorative practices for credit recovery, passing current classes, and a small learning environment for students to be more successful academically, behaviorally, and socially/emotionally. Tiger Academy also houses an after school programming focused on career planning.

Tiger Academy provides an individualized learning environment incorporating alternative and restorative practices for credit recovery, passing current classes, and small learning environment for students to be more successful academically, behaviorally, and socially/emotionally.

  • Focus on credit recovery and passing current classes, while also providing a small learning environment for students to succeed academically, behaviorally, and socially/emotionally.
  • Individual Alternative Learning Plans will be developed with academic and behavioral goals.
  • In order to be accepted, the student must have documented interventions already attempted through a Multi Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) for behavior/social/emotional and/or academics

 

  • Our day time program utilizes a combination of online learning courses via APEX learning, Google Classrooms from UHS facilitated by their already scheduled teacher and Tiger Academy staff, and other supplementary curricular materials based on the individual student needs academically, socially, and emotionally.

    In-person Classes 

    • Math (Algebra 1, Algebra 2 & Geometry, middle school): Utilizing a game-based learning model to be more hands on, interactive & engaging
    • Social Studies (Civics, middle school): Discovery Education curriculum purchased to reflect histories of people who look like & have similar experiences to our students
    • ELA (English 9 & middle school): HMH Into Lit curriculum
    • Art (all grades): Art of Education curriculum purchased with a focus on SEL skills & identity through art 
    • PE (all grades): Weight room equipment
    • 21st Century Skills (all grades): Focus on life skills, such as money & time management, business development, career readiness
    • AVID Elective (high school) - AVID curriculum focused on college and career readiness 

    • Spring 2022 – USD116 posted for and hired an Executive Director to start and oversee a district managed alternative program that is focused on inclusive restorative practices and is in addition to, but not a replacement of, READY, Circle, etc.
    • Spring 2022 – USD116 wrote for four different violence prevention and/or alternative programming grants
    • Summer 2022 – Planning team met to develop a vision and goals for alternative programming, with a focus on a part time, hybrid model for students who are struggling academically, socially/behaviorally (focus on credit recovery, online learning pathways, etc)
    • Fall 2022 – USD116 received three Anti-Violence Grants & Freedom Schools Grant
    • October 2022 – Buildings are approved to be opened for students
    • November 2022 – Freedom Schools Program
    • January 2023 – Adult Education & Day Time Alternative Programs start
    • Summer 2023 – 4 week program in June, plus additional recreation days in July/August
    • SY 2023-2024 – Grants renewed/rolled over for year 2, plus a new IDHS grant. Increase in Tiger Academy staff to expand programming. Continue FS program, slightly scaled down during school year and summer.
    • SY 2023-2024 – Grants  renewed/rolled over for year 3. Continued Tiger Academy, ended Freedom School Program, started Manifest Program
    • SY 2025-2026 – Grants ended. Continued Tiger Academy with District funding, starting new after school program focused on Career Planning

    • Academics:

      • 13 high school students started the 2024 school year in behind in credits/grade level. Of those still at Tiger Academy and in USD
        • 6 students are now fully caught up in credits
        • 5 students graduated Urbana High School (1 in December and 4 in May)
      • 61% of Tiger Academy high school students ended the spring semester on track for graduation and in the correct grade level status
      • 71% of Tiger Academy high school students improved their overall GPA from Fall 2024 to Spring 2025 semesters
      • 70% of Tiger Academy middle school students ended the spring semester on track and ready for the next grade level
      • 5 students completed 8th grade

     

  • Three students stand holding certificates in front of a backdrop with '2025 TA' balloons.
  • A group of students and adults sit on concrete steps, some making peace signs.
  • A group of young people gather around a DJ setup in a classroom, with a large screen and whiteboard in the background.
  • Three young people proudly hold certificates of completion in a room with an audience.